Trump orders Hegseth to ‘substantially reduce’ joint military operations with South Korea
President Donald Trump instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and concerns that such exercises are costly and send opposed signals. trump expressed dissatisfaction with the long-standing drills, emphasizing they are needless and unthreatening provided that North Korea remains respectful. Despite his objections, the exercises, part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield training involving 18,000 South Korean soldiers alongside U.S. forces, are scheduled to proceed. Trump also mentioned that South Korea declined to join the U.S. in efforts to denuclearize Iran. The move follows rising tensions and North Korea firing two ballistic missiles amid ongoing military activities in the region. Trump highlighted his past diplomatic efforts, including three meetings with Kim Jong Un during his presidency, and shared positive remarks about their relationship.
President Donald Trump directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” the number of joint miliitary operations the United States military conducts with South Korea on Sunday.
“Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea,” Trump said. “I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea. These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful.”
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Trump noted in the announcement “it is too late to cancel” the exercises, saying Hegseth should “substantially reduce” them. He also said South Korean President Lee Jae Myung rejected a recent offer to join the U.S. in working to denuclearize Iran.
“I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, ‘No thanks!’” Trump said.
The post comes the night before an 11-day joint exercise called Ulchi Freedom Shield is set to begin, in which 18,000 South Korean soldiers train alongside U.S. forces to enhance readiness against a North Korean attack.
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Trump’s directive follows a turbulent week for Hegseth after the war secretary pushed back on reports of “dire conditions” aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln deployed in the Middle East.
Trump met with the North Korean leader three times during his first term to discuss the nation’s nuclear program. He also posted a picture of the two leaders on social media on Saturday alongside a caption saying, “Kim Jong Un and I get along GREAT!”
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