US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he ordered the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that the annual exercises, which, this year, are set to begin Monday, are not only costly but "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea, which he said has been "unthreatening and respectful" to the US.
Trump also noted that South Korea declined to help with the US war against Iran and that he has a "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
"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!'" Trump wrote.
Trump said it was too late to cancel the annual military exercises and ordered to have them scaled back instead.
Annual drills meant to sharpen readiness against North Korean threats
The exercises, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, are scheduled to run from August 17 to 27.
The drills involve 18,000 South Korean soldiers, the South Korean military told the Associated Press.
The exercises were expected to include operations to counter drones, disrupt GPS signals and defend against cyberattacks to adapt to North Korea’s evolving capabilities.
North Korea has also been aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine by providing troops.
North Korea carries out weapons test in protest to drills
Trump's announcement comes days after North Korea reportedly fired ballistic missiles toward the sea last week.
Pyongyang last week threatened stern steps against the US and South Korea and called the summertime drills a "war rehearsal."
North Korea routinely denounces joint military exercises between the US and South Korea as dress rehearsals for an invasion.
But it's not clear what Trump's announcement will look like since the exercises were set to begin on Monday.
*Edited by: Roshni Majumdar *
If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google*, so you'll always see our verified news first. *