US President Donald Trump has said he ordered the Pentagon to scale back "inappropriate and hostile" military drills with South Korea, hours before the exercises began.

SEOUL, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday he ordered the Pentagon to scale back its joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and saying that Seoul declined to help with the denuclearization of Iran.

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea after the Republican president said it declined to help denuclearize Iran.

President Trump ordered the Pentagon on Sunday to scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea, saying it declined to help denuclearize Iran and citing his good relationship with North

US President Donald Trump says the United States will reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Seoul's refusal to assist...

Trump orders Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing costs and Seoul’s refusal to join actions against Iran. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Blue House said it would continue diplomatic consultations on US-Korea military cooperation related to the Strait of Hormuz, while discussing details on joint military drills with the United States.

The Blue House said it would continue diplomatic consultations on US-Korea military cooperation related to the Strait of Hormuz, while discussing details on joint military drills with the United States.

Trump said he was unhappy about the drills that are designed to prepare for a possible attack by Pyongyang.

US President Donald Trump's announcement comes a day before the start of the annual drills in South Korea, which Pyongyang has decried as dress rehearsals for an invasion.