President Trump’s decision to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea is being met with derision from Democrats and fears from other allies who are already worried over the president’s past willingness to toss aside longtime defense commitments.
Trump said it was too late to fully cancel what he called expensive and provocative joint exercises known as Ulchi Freedom Shield but directed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the drills on Sunday — just a day before they were set to start.
The war games are a major part of a mutual defense treaty between the U.S. and South Korea, meant to protect Seoul from possible North Korean aggression.
The announcement, made in a Truth Social post, further added insult to injury by excoriating Seoul for refusing to help the U.S. in its war against Iran.
This is not the first time Trump has criticized the exercise. In 2018, he said he was suspending the drills after meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
Trump’s South Korea move rattles foreign policy world
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