US President Donald Trump says the United States will reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Seoul’s refusal to assist Washington in its war with Iran.
Trump criticised the exercises in a Truth Social post on Sunday, describing them as expensive and an unnecessarily hostile signal towards North 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,” Trump wrote.
He also said he had recently asked South Korea’s president whether the country would help the US with Iran’s denuclearisation.
“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!’” Trump wrote.
The announcement comes as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises were due to begin on Monday and continue for 10 days.
North Korea has repeatedly condemned US-South Korean military exercises as provocative.
Trump similarly scaled back major exercises during his first term while pursuing nuclear negotiations with Kim.
He has continued to praise his relationship with the North Korean leader since returning to office.
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