Trump instructs Pentagon to reduce military exercises with South Korea

SEOUL, 17 AUGUST 2026 —

Trump orders Pentagon to cut joint military drills with South Korea

WASHINGTON, Aug 16 — US President Donald Trump said he has instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing Seoul’s refusal to join actions against Iran and his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, scheduled from Aug 17 to 27, will proceed but in a scaled-down form after Trump said it was “too late” to cancel them entirely. In a Truth Social post, Trump criticised the exercises as costly and unnecessarily hostile toward North Korea, which he described as unthreatening during his presidency. He also highlighted South Korea’s decision not to support US-led efforts to denuclearise Iran, stating that Seoul declined his offer to participate.

Details on the extent of the reductions and how they will affect troop deployments or operational scope were not immediately available.

The move follows Trump’s broader efforts to recalibrate US alliances in Asia, including his outreach to Pyongyang. Analysts suggest the adjustments may aim to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula while maintaining deterrence. The impact on regional security dynamics and US-South Korea defence cooperation remains to be seen.