Former President Donald Trump announced a substantial reduction in scheduled joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, citing his "very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea." The exercises were set to begin on Monday.
In a social media post, Trump stated that the exercises are costly and send an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea, which he characterized as "unthreatening and respectful" during his presidency. This assertion contrasts with past exchanges, including a 2017 instance where Kim Jong Un referred to Trump as a "mentally deranged US dotard."
Trump also suggested that South Korea declined a proposal to join the US in denuclearizing Iran. He indicated that the reduction in military drills was partially influenced by this interaction and by his perceived positive relationship with the North Korean leader.
These exercises have been a fixture of the US-South Korea alliance for over 70 years. Trump's decision marks a significant development in the relationship between the two nations, which has previously seen friction, including Trump's imposition of tariffs earlier this year over an alleged failure by South Korea to adhere to a trade and security agreement. The US maintains a substantial military presence in South Korea, with troop levels second only to those in Japan and Germany.
This move also echoes Trump's past actions and rhetoric concerning US military commitments abroad. During his previous term, Trump announced plans to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany and made similar threats regarding troop presence in Italy and Spain. These actions were often linked to his efforts to increase defense spending among European allies and, at times, appeared tied to personal grievances or policy disputes, such as disagreements over the US approach to Iran or territorial claims like Greenland.
The reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea is seen as a benefit to Kim Jong Un, who has consistently opposed such drills. The announcement revives a dynamic from Trump's first term, characterized by his personal diplomacy with Kim Jong Un, often referred to as a "bromance."