US President Announces Significant Reduction in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea

Washington, Aug 16 (KUNA) – U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday a “significant” reduction in the scale of joint military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea, implicitly citing their high cost and Seoul’s refusal to participate in efforts to “disarm Iran.” Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social platform, “I have directed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to significantly reduce the size of the joint military exercises.” He added that he was dissatisfied with U.S. participation in the joint military drills with Seoul, considering them “costly” and, in his words, sending an “inappropriate and hostile message” to North Korea. Trump further clarified in the same post that he had asked South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol whether he would join the United States in what he described as “disarming Iran,” only to receive a refusal, according to his account. (End) A.M.M. / F.A.S.