Trump orders scaled-back US-South Korea drills before 11-day exercise
What's next: Seoul said Ulchi Freedom Shield will proceed as scheduled, even as North Korea steps up missile tests.
President Donald Trump ordered a substantial reduction in joint US-South Korea military drills just before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise was due to begin Monday. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the exercises were costly and sent a hostile signal to North Korea, citing his relationship with Kim Jong Un. South Korea's defense ministry responded that the 11-day exercise would go ahead as previously scheduled. Military leaders had said about 18,000 South Korean troops would take part. The move comes as North Korea has conducted ballistic missile tests this month and as US and South Korean officials point to Pyongyang's troop deployment to support Russia's war in Ukraine.