President Donald Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday to substantially reduce the annual joint military exercises with South Korea, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, which began Monday as scheduled.
Trump cited the cost of the drills, paid largely by the United States, and said they send an inappropriate and hostile signal to North Korea, with which he said he maintains a very good relationship.
The announcement came hours before the 11-day exercises were set to start. South Korean military authorities confirmed the drills are proceeding as previously notified and scheduled, according to The Korea Herald.
Trump’s Statement on Truth Social
In a Truth Social post Sunday, Trump wrote the following:
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. These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful. 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! While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, “No thanks!” Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
The Pentagon did not immediately specify details of the reduction. A Pentagon spokesperson referred questions to the White House.
Details of the Exercises
Freedom Shield is an annual series of defensive exercises involving approximately 18,000 South Korean troops and a portion of the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. The drills, scheduled to run through August 27, focus on readiness against North Korean threats and this year include training to counter drones, GPS disruption, and cyberattacks, Military.com reported.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the exercises began Monday. Personnel from United Nations Command member states were also expected to participate.
South Korean Response
South Korean officials said the exercises would proceed as planned. Seoul stated it was reviewing Trump’s comments and expressed hope that improved relations between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks, according to BBC News.
North Korea has not issued an immediate public response. The regime has historically denounced the joint exercises as rehearsals for invasion.
Background on the Alliance
The United States and South Korea have conducted joint military exercises for more than 70 years. About 28,500 American troops remain stationed in South Korea under the longstanding alliance.
Trump’s order marks the first time in his current term that he has directed a scaling back of the drills with South Korea.
