South Korea’s Defense Ministry announced Monday that joint military exercises with the United States have begun, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that he had ordered a reduction in his country’s participation in the drills.
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A ministry spokesperson confirmed that Ulchi Freedom Shield is proceeding as planned, referring to the annual exercises aimed at strengthening the military readiness of South Korean and U.S. forces in the face of nuclear-armed North Korea.
Trump said Sunday that he would significantly scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, a U.S. ally, citing his “very good” relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“These exercises are not only expensive, with the United States bearing a large share of the costs, as usual, but they also send a completely inappropriate and hostile signal to a country that has shown respect and posed no threat for as long as Donald Trump has been president,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Trump added that he had instructed his Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to “significantly” reduce U.S. participation in the exercises.
Trump also pointed to South Korea’s non-participation in U.S. military operations against Iran.
