07:09 CET
Natural disaster
Indonesia quake leaves at least 53 dead, thousands seek shelter
Rescuers in eastern Indonesia will ...
Trump orders reduction in U.S.-South Korea military drills, citing ties with Kim Jong Un
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in Panmunjom, South Korea, 30 June 2019.
Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a significant reduction in planned joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump said on Sunday that he had instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” the exercises, arguing that they send a hostile signal to Pyongyang.
“Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He said it was too late to cancel the exercises entirely, but described them as costly and the signal they send to North Korea as “totally inappropriate and hostile”.
Pyongyang has long opposed joint drills
The decision comes as Washington and Seoul prepare for their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, scheduled for 17 to 27 August.
The drills combine computer-simulated command-post training with field exercises aimed at strengthening the allies’ readiness. North Korea has repeatedly condemned such exercises as rehearsals for invasion, while Washington and Seoul say they are defensive.
Trump has frequently highlighted his relationship with Kim, whom he met three times during his first term. Their diplomacy ultimately failed to produce an agreement on North Korea’s nuclear programme.
Trump also linked his decision to a recent exchange with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, saying he asked whether Seoul would join U.S. efforts to “denuclearise Iran” and received the response: “No thanks.”
Lee has sought to ease tensions with Pyongyang and on Saturday called for direct inter-Korean talks aimed at formally ending the Korean War.
Read more
- North Korea's Kim and Russia's Putin reaffirm ties on Korean Liberation Day
- Putin hails deepening Russia-North Korea ties in message to Kim
- Frontline: Korea – One War, Two Decisions
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment