Trump orders reduction in US-South Korea military drills

US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce planned joint military exercises with South Korea, calling them costly and hostile to North Korea. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to cut back the drills, which were set to begin this week. He cited his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and claimed North Korea has been "unthreatening and respectful" during his presidency.

Trump also criticised South Korea, saying he had asked President Lee Jae Myung whether Seoul would join US efforts to denuclearise Iran, and received a refusal. LiveMint reports that the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises involve 18,000 South Korean soldiers and are designed to boost readiness against North Korean threats. North Korea has warned the drills are a "rehearsal for an aggressive war" that will heighten regional instability.

The US military has said the exercises reinforce the alliance's role as a linchpin for regional peace and security. Deccan Chronicle notes that the drills are scheduled from August 17 to August 27 and will include training to counter drones and cyberattacks. Experts quoted by LiveMint say North Korea often uses the drills as a pretext to ramp up weapons testing, as it seeks to enlarge its nuclear and missile arsenals.