On August 17, President Donald Trump announced on X that he has instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the exercises' hostile signal.
Trump stated that the United States had long agreed to participate in the drills, which he described as costly and largely funded by the U.S. He asserted that North Korea has been "unthreatening and respectful" during his presidency. "Therefore, and based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!" Trump wrote.
In a separate remark, Trump said he recently asked South Korea's president whether Seoul would join the denuclearization of Iran, and the answer was "No thanks!" He did not provide further details on the request.
