Trump orders a reduction in US-South Korea military exercises: ‘I have an excellent relationship with Kim’
Seoul: Good relations between Kim and Donald could help the negotiations
US President Donald Trump has announced that he has ordered the Pentagon to scale back the ongoing military exercises with South Korea, citing his ‘excellent relationship’ with the North Korean leader and Seoul’s decision not to take part in the war against Iran.
“Given my excellent relationship with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, I am not happy that the United States agreed, a long time ago, to take part in joint military exercises with South Korea,” Trump wrote on Truth. ‘These exercises are not only costly, with the United States footing the bill for the lion’s share of the costs (as usual!), but they send a completely inappropriate and hostile signal to a country which, since Donald Trump became president, has consistently shown itself to be non-threatening and respectful.’
The summer joint exercises are scheduled to run until 27 August and will involve joint, multi-domain operations aimed at enhancing the allies’ readiness and capabilities by simulating realistic threats that reflect the rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare.
Seoul: Good relations between Kim and Donald could help the negotiations
South Korea has said it hopes that the personal relationship between Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will bring them back to the negotiating table, after the US president announced his intention to scale back joint military exercises with Seoul. “The government is closely monitoring the message posted today by President Trump on social media and hopes that the friendly relationship between the leaders of the United States and North Korea will lead to constructive dialogue,” said the South Korean presidential office, adding that it had been working closely with the US on its “defence posture” and intended to continue doing so. “South Korea and the United States have maintained close coordination to ensure a robust joint defence posture and to conduct joint exercises and training activities, and will continue to coordinate closely.”
