Trump Orders Reduced South Korea Military Drills, Cites Kim Jong Un Ties
Trump says he told War Secretary Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump said he ordered a substantial reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump said the drills were costly and sent a hostile signal to North Korea. He said it was too late to cancel them, so he directed the reduction instead. He added that he asked South Korea’s president to join a denuclearization effort aimed at Iran, and that the request was declined.
Here is the full post on truthsocial: “Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I was not happy with the fact that the United States had, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea. These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful. Therefore, and based on the fact that it was too late to cancel, I instructed Secretary of War,Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises! While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, “No thanks!” Thank you for your attention to this matter. Trump” on August 25, 2026 at 9:32 AM ET.
President Donald J. Trump announced a reduction in joint military exercises at Washington D.C.
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This is Trump’s 4th message released today, and the last post was 1 hour ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 61 of his 604 posts over the last 30 days classified as Foreign Policy posts.
Kim Jong Un leads North Korea. Trump referenced what he called his good relationship with the North Korean leader as the basis for reducing the drills.Pete Hegseth serves as Secretary of War in the Trump administration. Trump said he instructed Hegseth to carry out the reduction of the joint exercises with South Korea.
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