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

President Donald Trump on Sunday instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce the scale of annual joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the high costs borne largely by the United States, the signal the drills send to North Korea, and Seoul’s refusal to support American efforts regarding Iran.

In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that the exercises, which had been scheduled long in advance, were set to begin the following day and were therefore too late to cancel entirely. “I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!” he wrote. He described the drills as costly and said they “send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile” to North Korea, a country he characterized as having been “unthreatening and respectful” throughout his presidency. Trump emphasized his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a key factor in the decision.

Trump further noted that he had recently asked South Korea’s president whether the country would join the United States in the denuclearization of Iran and received a negative response. The joint exercises in question form part of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield series, an 11-day program involving approximately 18,000 South Korean troops alongside U.S. forces stationed on the peninsula. The drills are designed to enhance readiness against potential threats from North Korea and have incorporated training focused on emerging challenges such as drones, GPS disruption, and cyber operations.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry confirmed that the exercises began on schedule Monday. Seoul officials indicated they were reviewing Trump’s comments and expressed hope that improved relations between Washington and Pyongyang could eventually support meaningful dialogue. The announcement came shortly after North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests in defiance of United Nations restrictions.

The U.S.-South Korea alliance has long featured regular combined training exercises as a cornerstone of deterrence on the Korean Peninsula, where roughly 28,500 American troops are permanently stationed. Trump has previously expressed skepticism about the cost and necessity of large-scale drills during both of his terms, often linking them to broader questions of alliance burden-sharing and diplomatic openings with North Korea. The latest directive marks a concrete step to curtail the current iteration while stopping short of a full cancellation.

Democratic critics, including Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot, described the reduction as shortsighted. Administration officials have not yet released detailed guidance on the precise scope of the cuts ordered by Hegseth. The move underscores Trump’s prioritization of personal diplomacy with Kim Jong Un and his willingness to adjust longstanding military practices with a key Asian ally in light of both cost concerns and recent differences over Iran policy.