Washington: US President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered the Pentagon to scale back "inappropriate and hostile" military drills with South Korea, claiming that the ally had failed to help with the war against Iran and citing his "good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
According to France24.com, Trump directed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, highlighting the cost of the drills and Seoul's reluctance to participate in actions against Iran. Just hours before the exercises were due to begin, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction on his Truth Social site, emphasizing his "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un, the leader of nuclear-armed and heavily sanctioned North Korea.
Trump described the exercises as not only costly but also as sending a signal that is "totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea, which he claims has been unthreatening and respectful during his presidency. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises, involving about 18,000 South Korean military personnel, were scheduled to continue until August 27. Despite Trump's directive, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the drills commenced on Monday as planned.
In response to Trump's comments, South Korea's presidential Blue House stated it was reviewing the President's post and expressed hope that the friendly relationship between the US and North Korean leaders would foster meaningful dialogue aimed at advancing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The allies would continue coordinating on their combined defense posture and military exercises, according to the Blue House.
Addressing Trump's assertion that President Lee Jae Myung declined to join US efforts to denuclearize Iran, South Korea indicated it was discussing potential military contributions while considering its defense readiness on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal procedures. The Pentagon referred questions on the matter to the White House, which did not immediately respond to requests for further details.
Trump has historically aimed to end or reduce military exercises with South Korea, often clashing with Seoul over sharing the costs of stationing 28,500 US troops in Korea and their role in securing the broader region. North Korea, still technically at war with the South, consistently denounces the US-South Korean exercises as preparations for an invasion. In recent developments, North Korea fired a ballistic missile from its eastern coast towards the Sea of Japan, following a similar short-range ballistic missile launch.
Jenny Town, head of the Stimson Center think tank's 38 North program, suggested that Trump's decision might be part of a larger effort to create a diplomatic opportunity with Pyongyang, although she noted the haphazard nature of the move might not significantly impact Pyongyang. The relationship between Trump and Kim has fluctuated over the years, but none of their efforts have led to changes in North Korea's nuclear weapons or ballistic missile development.
While Trump spoke warmly of North Korea, he also pointed out South Korea's stance on the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, referencing a conversation with South Korea's President about joining the US in the denuclearization of Iran, which Seoul declined.
The nature of the drills could see changes, as recent years have shifted from live-fire exercises to computer-simulated missile and cyberattacks. Victor Cha, head of the Korea program at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, speculated that Trump might seek greater influence over North Korea as Pyongyang has been heavily engaged in supporting Russia in Ukraine.
Economic factors also play a role in the tension. A former US official indicated that Trump is "frustrated with the intransigence" of the South Korean administration in addressing economic issues, despite South Korea being labeled a "model ally" for its commitment to increasing defense spending in line with US regional strategy. A trade deal signed last year between the two countries aimed to lower Trump's auto tariffs in exchange for Seoul's commitment to invest $350 billion, though details of South Korea's investment plan remain undisclosed.