Trump cuts US-South Korea drills after Seoul rejects Iran denuclearisation push

Donald Trump said South Korea declined his request to join US efforts to denuclearise Iran. He said the refusal, along with his view of North Korea, led him to order a substantial reduction in joint military exercises with Seoul.

In Short

• Trump said Seoul refused to join Washington's effort against Iran's nuclear programme
• He linked that reply to reducing annual military exercises with South Korea
• Ulchi Freedom Shield drills are scheduled between August 17 and 27

US President Donald Trump said South Korea had declined his request to join the United States in efforts to denuclearise Iran, and said he had consequently instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with Seoul.

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said he had recently asked the South Korean president whether Seoul wanted to join the US in the “Denuclearisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, to which he said South Korea responded, “No thanks!”

Trump linked the decision to his instruction to substantially reduce the annual joint military exercises with South Korea, saying it was too late to cancel the drills entirely.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises are scheduled to run from August 17 to 27.

Trump also cited his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a reason for being unhappy with the US participation in the exercises.

He described the drills as costly and said they sent an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea, which he said had remained “unthreatening and respectful” during his presidency.

Trump said he had instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” the joint military exercises, while acknowledging that the decision to participate had been agreed long ago.

His remarks come amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran and Washington's efforts to rally partners around its campaign to pressure Tehran over its nuclear programme.

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