Trump orders Pentagon to 'scale back' military drills with South Korea citing good relations with Kim Jong Un

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, labeling the drills as "inappropriate," "hostile," and excessively expensive. The directive was issued on Sunday, just hours before the scheduled commencement of the exercises. The decision follows a pattern of skepticism from the administration regarding the necessity and cost of these joint operations.

In justifying the reduction, the President cited his ongoing diplomatic relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The administration has previously characterized these joint military activities as provocative, a stance first articulated by Trump following his 2018 summit in Singapore. Additionally, reports indicate the administration has linked the decision to a perceived lack of support from the South Korean ally regarding broader geopolitical efforts, specifically concerning Iran.