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Trump cuts drills
President Donald Trump ordered the Defense Department to scale down joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his “very good relationship” with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and saying the drills “send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile” to Pyongyang.
“Trump says US to reduce military drills with South Korea after it stayed out of Iran war”
Trump linked the decision to South Korea’s refusal to join the US in the “denuclearisation” of Iran, writing on Truth Social that he asked the South Korean president and they said, “No thanks!”
South Korea said it was reviewing Trump’s comments and hoped a “favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks,” while Pyongyang had not yet commented.
The BBC reported that earlier South Korea said the drills with the US would proceed “as scheduled,” and that Trump’s announcement came less than 24 hours after he posted an old photograph of himself and Kim from 2019, writing the two were great friends “despite the unfriendly look on this particular picture.”
Allies question reliability
In South Korea, retired Lieutenant General (Ret.) In-bum Chun told the ABC that the timing of Trump’s message was “surprising” and that the delivery method was “a bit concern[ing],” with many Koreans initially thinking it was fake news.
Chun said having a significant change “announced publicly and linked to a personal relationship with Kim Jong Un” would have allies “questioning” the US’ commitment, and he warned that a gesture of goodwill could be perceived by North Korea and other powers as US weakness.
The ABC also quoted South Korea’s presidential office saying it “hopes that the friendly relationship between the US and North Korean leaders will lead to meaningful dialogue,” while the BBC reported Seoul said it was reviewing Trump’s comments.
The BBC added that Pyongyang has not yet commented, and that earlier South Korea said the drills with the US would proceed “as scheduled,” even as Trump said on Sunday it was “too late to cancel.”
Talks, stakes, and timing
South Korea’s Ministry of Unification said any summit between Trump and Kim could contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, with a ministry official telling reporters, “If this summit materializes, it is expected to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
““If this summit is realized, it is expected to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula”
The ministry official said the stance was “firm” and that South Korea was ready to play a “beatkeeper” role in dialogue, including sending a peace envoy, while continuing close consultations to develop a plan.
VOI.ID reported that South Korea hoped the Trump-Kim summit would lead to peace and stability on the peninsula, quoting the Unification Ministry’s view that meetings could “foster reconciliation and cooperation between the Koreas.”
The same VOI.ID account said Trump described his talks with Kim as “very positive” but provided no further details, after he ordered a substantial reduction in joint US–South Korea military exercises.
