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US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the cost of the drills, their perceived message to North Korea and Seoul’s refusal to support US efforts to denuclearize Iran.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began as scheduled on Monday and involve about 18,000 South Korean personnel. Trump said it was too late to cancel the drills altogether but instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to reduce their scale.
In a social media post, Trump said the exercises were costly and sent an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea. He also pointed to his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying Pyongyang had been “unthreatening and respectful” during his presidency.
Trump separately said he had asked South Korea’s president to join US efforts to denuclearize Iran, but Seoul declined.
The decision marks a notable shift in Washington’s approach to its military partnership with Seoul.
The exercises are intended to strengthen readiness against North Korean threats, including evolving missile, cyber and other military capabilities.
South Korea’s defence ministry said the exercises would proceed as planned, while the move has raised questions about the future of US-South Korea security cooperation and the credibility of allied military preparedness in the region.