Trump scales back South Korea drills after Iran war snub

Donald Trump revealed on Truth Social on Sunday that the United States will scale back joint military exercises with South Korea after the government in Seoul declined to join US operations regarding Iran. Trump criticized the drills as costly—with much of the financial burden shouldered by America—and argued they send a completely inappropriate and hostile signal.

The announcement arrived shortly after US and South Korean military leaders held a joint press conference last week to unveil the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. The 11-day event was planned on a scale similar to previous years, involving approximately 18,000 South Korean personnel, while roughly 28,500 American troops remain stationed in the country. US military spokesperson Ryan Donald noted during the briefing that their training accounts for threats such as North Korean soldiers returning from deployment in Russia.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

This development comes just days after South Korea, the US, and Japan detected North Korea's second ballistic missile test in quick succession. Pyongyang has steadily expanded its nuclear and missile programs since the 2019 collapse of high-level diplomacy between Kim Jong Un and Trump during his initial presidential term. Trump also voiced displeasure toward other allies, including Japan, France, and the UK, over their reluctance to involve themselves in the Iran conflict.

Trump noted in his social media post that it was too late to cancel the exercises entirely since they were slated to begin on Monday. Neither Seoul nor Pyongyang officials have issued immediate comments regarding his statements. The news also follows South Korea's recent proposal to engage its northern neighbor in formal talks to officially conclude the Korean War, which remains technically active under an armistice signed in 1953.

Source: BBC World