Trump Orders Major Reduction in U.S.-South Korea Military Exercises

President Trump is signaling a major shift in U.S. policy toward the Korean Peninsula.
Trump says he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea.
He described the exercises as expensive and unnecessarily hostile toward North Korea.
Trump also pointed to his relationship with Kim Jong Un, saying North Korea has remained “unthreatening and respectful” during his presidency.
The decision could mark another attempt to lower military tensions with Pyongyang.
But reducing joint exercises also raises questions about deterrence and military readiness at a time when North Korea continues to maintain a large nuclear and ballistic missile arsenal.
Trump also claimed South Korea rejected a U.S. request to assist with efforts to denuclearize Iran.
The broader message is clear:
Washington is reconsidering how much military pressure it wants to maintain on the Korean Peninsula.