US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, saying he is unhappy with the drills and citing his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump said the exercises were costly and could send an inappropriate and hostile signal to North Korea. He also argued that Pyongyang had remained relatively respectful and unthreatening toward his administration.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises are scheduled to run from August 17 to 27 and involve about 18,000 South Korean troops alongside US forces. The drills are designed to strengthen the allies’ ability to respond to potential threats from North Korea.
However, South Korea’s Ministry of Defence said the exercises would proceed as previously scheduled, despite Trump’s announcement.
North Korea has repeatedly condemned the military exercises, describing them as preparations for an invasion. Pyongyang recently warned that growing military cooperation between the United States, Japan and South Korea could lead to a nuclear alliance.
Trump previously criticised US-South Korea military exercises during his first presidential term. Following his 2018 summit with Kim Jong Un in Singapore, he described the drills as expensive and provocative.
The latest decision comes as Trump continues to emphasise his relationship with Kim and seeks to reduce military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
.jpeg)
.jpeg "Sunayen kofofin aljanna guda takwas 8")
0 Comment about the Post: