President Donald Trump said on social media platform X on August 25 that, based on his very good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, he was unhappy with the United States' long-standing agreement to participate in joint military exercises with South Korea, and has instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce the drills.
Trump stated that the exercises are not only costly, with much of the expenses paid by the United States, but also send a signal that is "totally inappropriate and hostile" to a country that, during his presidency, has been "unthreatening and respectful." Since it was too late to cancel, he ordered a significant reduction. He also mentioned that he recently asked the President of South Korea whether they would join the U.S. in denuclearizing Iran, and the response was "No thanks!"
