President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises, citing his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
"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 his social media platform. "Therefore, and based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!"
Trump stated that the exercises send "inappropriate and hostile" signals to North Korea, a country he characterized as having been "unthreatening and respectful" toward the United States during his presidency. The annual U.S.-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began on Monday. An official from the South Korean Ministry of Defense confirmed to ABC News that the military exercise currently underway "will be carried on as planned."
South Korea is a long-standing U.S. ally and hosts approximately 28,500 American troops. The U.S. military presence on the peninsula has traditionally aimed to deter a resumption of cross-border hostilities, as the Korean War of 1950-1953 never officially concluded.
North Korea, which tested its first nuclear weapon in 2006, has continued to expand its atomic weapons stockpile and ballistic missile program despite international sanctions and condemnation. In recent decades, the U.S. presence in South Korea has also become a significant element in the strategic competition between Washington and Beijing, North Korea's primary patron.
Trump's announcement followed a threat from North Korea on Friday regarding a strong response against the U.S. and South Korea in reaction to the planned drills. In his social media post, Trump also referenced South Korea's refusal to join the U.S. military effort against Iran and its "denuclearization," though he noted this issue was "somewhat unrelated (?)" to his decision regarding the drills.
South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by expressing hope that the "friendly relationship between the leaders of the United States and North Korea will lead to meaningful dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang and pave the way for discussions aimed at advancing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." The ministry also stated that the South Korean government had actively participated in international discussions concerning a ceasefire in Iran and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has frequently praised his relationship with Kim. This follows an earlier period of tension at the beginning of Trump's term, during which he used terms like "little rocket man" and threatened Pyongyang. However, this discord evolved into a detente, leading to three in-person meetings between Trump and Kim in 2018 and 2019. Despite these diplomatic efforts, Trump's primary objective of North Korean denuclearization remained unachieved.
Since the breakdown of talks with Trump in 2019, Pyongyang has continued its ballistic missile testing. Earlier this month, North Korea conducted two ballistic missile launches in quick succession as the U.S.-South Korea military drills approached. In recent years, North Korea has also strengthened ties with Russia and Iran, positioning itself in opposition to the U.S. and its allies in the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Saturday that Moscow-Pyongyang ties have reached an "unprecedented level of comprehensive strategic partnership."