(AP) – President Trump is directing the Pentagon to significantly reduce upcoming joint military exercises with South Korea, arguing the costly operations burden American taxpayers while sending the wrong message to North Korea.
In a post on Truth Social Sunday, the president announced he has instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” the exercises, even though he acknowledged it is too late to cancel them outright.
Mr. Trump said the annual drills, which have long been conducted to maintain military readiness and strengthen the alliance between Washington and Seoul, are expensive and largely financed by the United States.
The president argued that the exercises also create unnecessary friction with North Korea at a time when he says relations with Pyongyang have remained stable during his administration.
Mr. Trump wrote that the drills “send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile” toward North Korea, adding that the country has been “unthreatening and respectful” while he has been in office.
The president pointed to his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a reason for pursuing a different approach. Trump has frequently highlighted his diplomatic contacts with Kim and has argued that direct engagement can reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula more effectively than military demonstrations.
Mr. Trump also tied his decision to what he described as a lack of cooperation from South Korea on another major foreign policy priority.
According to the president, he recently asked South Korean President Lee Jae-myung whether Seoul would participate in efforts aimed at the denuclearization of Iran. Trump said the South Korean leader declined the request.
In his Truth Social post, Mr. Trump quoted the response as, “No thanks!”
The president suggested that South Korea’s refusal to assist with efforts against Iran raised broader questions about the alliance and America’s longstanding commitment of resources to defend the prosperous Asian nation.
Trump supporters have long argued that wealthy allies should shoulder a greater share of their own defense costs rather than relying heavily on American taxpayers and U.S. military power.
They say reducing the exercises reflects an America First approach that prioritizes fiscal responsibility while seeking diplomatic solutions to international disputes.
Critics, however, contend that scaling back the drills could weaken military readiness and send the wrong signal to adversaries in the region.
For now, the exercises are expected to proceed, but at a reduced level under Trump’s new directive to the Pentagon.