Retired colonel knocks Trump order to cut back on ‘critical’ joint exercises with South Korea

Retired Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton on Sunday suggested President Trump made “an unforced error” in ordering the Pentagon to scale back its joint exercises with the South Korean military. Leighton said the change “could have some serious impacts” on America’s relationship with South Korea, as well as Japan. “South K

Washington DC and Seoul, South Korea —  President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the United States would reduce military exercises with key regional ally South Korea, just hours before they were due to get underway, citing his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Seoul’s lack of assistance

President Donald Trump is scaling back joint exercises with South Korea as his war against Iran stretches the limits of the U.S. military

Pres. Trump orders scaling back of joint military drills with S. Korea  CNN

President says he ‘gets along great’ with dictator but US officials say Ukraine war is boosting North’s capabilities Donald Trump has said he is scaling back joint US military drills with South Korea aimed at deterring North Korea, despite military officials from both countries warning that Kim Jong-un’s regime was lea

International relationsUS president's move to cut back exercises seen as pressuring Seoul on tradeU.S. soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division and South Korean soldiers participate in a river crossing exercise as part of last year's Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise in Yeoju-gun, South Korea. © Getty ImagesKIM JAEWONAugust

Hours before exercises are scheduled to begin, Trump says on his Truth Social site he was 'not happy' that the US had agreed to participate and highlights his 'very good relationship' with Kim Jong-un

President Trump explained the decision by saying South Korea had declined to help with the "denuclearization" of Iran and he cited his good relationship with North Korea's leader.

U.S. President Donald 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 Korea's Kim Jong-un.

In a social media post, the president scolded South Korea for not helping denuclearize Iran, and also praised North Korea and its leader.

August 16, 2026 9:35 PM ET President Donald Trump has ordered a sharp cutback to the long-running military drills the United States conducts alongside South Korea.The Republican president announced the decision Sunday in a Truth Social post, directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce the Joint Mi

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon on Sunday to scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea, saying it de

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has instructed the Pentagon to "substantially" reduce joint South Korea-US military exercises, in what appears to be a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea. Trump made the remarks in a social media post, saying the exercises are not only "costly" but also send a "totally

President Donald Trump directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” the number of joint miliitary operations the United States military conducts with South Korea on Sunday. “Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea,” Trump said. “I am not happy with the fact that the Unite

The president’s announcement comes just a day before the joint exercises with a longtime ally were set to kick off.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has directed the Pentagon to scale down joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the country’s refusal to join the war in Iran and his “very good” relationship with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the scaling back of the Pentagon's joint military exercises with South Korea over Seoul's stance on Iran.

President Trump said Sunday that the joint military exercises with South Korea are costly and they "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea.

US President Donald Trump said he was "not happy" about US participation in joint military exercises with close ally South Korea and is scaling back the drills aimed at deterring rival North Korea that start Monday.

The 11 days of exercises involving 18,000 South Korean soldiers were designed to beef up readiness against North Korean threats

US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon on Sunday to scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea after the Republican president said South Korea declined to help denuclearise Iran. Trump said in a social media post that the exercises scheduled to begin this week are costly and “send a signal tha

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

Trump said in a social media post that the exercises slated to begin this week are costly and "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea, which he said "has been unthreatening and respectful" while Trump has been in the White House.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea after he says it declined to help denuclearize Iran.

By Costas Pitas and David Lawder WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday instructed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" 10 days of joint military exercises with South Korea as they were about to get underway, citing the cost of the drills andSeoul's refusal to take part in actions agains

Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea  AP News

Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea  Toronto Star