Trump orders scaled-back US-South Korea drills, cites Kim Jong Un ties

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he has instructed Defense Secretary Mark Esper to reduce the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea, arguing that such drills send an inappropriate signal to North Korea.

In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump cited what he called his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, expressing his dissatisfaction that the United States has long agreed to participate in joint military exercises with South Korea.

He added that these exercises are not only costly—with the United States bearing a significant portion of the expenses—but also send an "inappropriate and hostile signal" to a country that, he said, was not threatened during his presidency.

Trump said that since it was too late to cancel the drills, he has instructed the defense secretary to "significantly" scale back the joint military exercises.

The United States and South Korea regularly conduct joint military drills to enhance the readiness of their forces and improve their ability to operate together and respond to crises.