Trump Orders Fewer US-South Korea Drills, Citing Kim Jong Un Relationship
Donald Trump, the former US President, has directed the Pentagon to reduce military exercises with South Korea. He cited his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the reason. This instruction comes ahead of annual drills that usually involve thousands of soldiers.
Mr. Trump shared his views on a social media platform. He wrote that these military exercises are expensive. He also said they send a wrong and hostile message to North Korea. He believes North Korea has been peaceful. It has also been respectful during his time as President.
The former President stated he was unhappy with the long-standing agreement for these joint drills. He also mentioned that South Korea declined an invitation to join in efforts to denuclearize Iran. He said it was too late to cancel the drills entirely. However, he ordered the Secretary of Defense to make them much smaller.
South Korea’s Ministry of Defence commented on Mr. Trump’s post. They stated that the military exercises would happen as planned. The annual drills, named Ulchi Freedom Shield, are set for August 17 to 27. They will include 18,000 South Korean soldiers.
These drills happen every summer. They help prepare South Korean and US forces to defend against North Korea. North Korea has nuclear weapons and a strong military. North Korea has always disliked these exercises. It sees them as practice for an invasion.
Last week, North Korea strongly criticized the upcoming drills. A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said US, Japan, and South Korea military ties are becoming a nuclear alliance. The spokesperson warned that Pyongyang would respond with new military power.
Mr. Trump posted a photo of himself with Kim Jong Un the day after these warnings. He wrote that the two leaders got along well. During his first term, Mr. Trump met Kim Jong Un three times. He also tried to stop the exercises with South Korea in 2018. At that time, he called the drills “expensive” and “provocative.”
