Trump Orders Major Cut in US-South Korea Military Drills, Cites Iran War and Kim Jong Un Ties

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, just as the two countries were preparing to begin their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills. Trump cited the cost of the exercises, their perceived hostile signal to North Korea and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump also expressed frustration with Seoul over its decision not to participate in US efforts related to the denuclearisation of Iran. In a social media post, he said South Korea had declined when asked whether it wanted to join the US campaign.

Despite Trump's announcement, South Korea said the joint exercises would proceed as scheduled. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise was planned as an 11-day event involving around 18,000 South Korean troops, along with US forces and other personnel.

Trump Points to Relationship With Kim Jong Un

Trump said his decision was influenced by his "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un. He argued that the military drills are expensive and send an inappropriate and hostile message to North Korea.

Trump had also shared an older photograph of himself with Kim shortly before announcing the reduction, describing their relationship positively. The move echoes Trump's first term, when he suspended or scaled back US-South Korea military exercises during his diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang.

Seoul Continues With Military Exercises

South Korean and US military officials had previously announced that Ulchi Freedom Shield would maintain a similar scale to previous years. The exercises are designed to strengthen the allies' readiness against potential threats from North Korea, including missile attacks, drones, cyberattacks and GPS disruptions.

The announcement comes at a sensitive time. North Korea has recently conducted ballistic missile tests and has strongly opposed the US-South Korea drills, describing them as preparations for an aggressive war.

US military officials have also raised concerns about North Korea's growing military capabilities following its reported deployment of troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine. The experience could potentially improve the capabilities of North Korean forces, according to US officials.

Around 28,500 US troops remain stationed in South Korea, making the US-South Korea alliance a central part of Washington's security presence in East Asia.

South Korea's Iran Decision Adds to Tensions

Trump's remarks suggest that Seoul's refusal to contribute to US actions involving Iran has become another source of friction between Washington and its Asian ally.

Trump has previously criticised allies for not providing greater support for the US campaign against Iran. His latest decision therefore links the future of military cooperation on the Korean Peninsula with broader US foreign-policy priorities.

The development could also complicate efforts to manage tensions with North Korea, particularly as Pyongyang continues expanding its nuclear and missile programmes and strengthening military ties with Russia.