South Korea president highlights US alliance after Trump reduces joint exercises

South Korea’s president on Tuesday sought to highlight the more than 70-year alliance with the United States after President Trump over the weekend announced he had directed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” its joint military exercises with Seoul. Speaking in a regular Cabinet meeting, South Korean President Lee

Lee Jae Myung urged stronger independent South Korean military capabilities after Trump ordered cuts to U.S.-South Korean Ulchi Freedom Shield drills.

South Korea’s president said Tuesday a solid alliance with the United States underpins national security, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt order to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises left many many South Koreans baffled and concerned.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s president said Tuesday a solid alliance with the U.S. strengthens the foundation of national security, as many South Koreans were baffled and concerned about U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt order to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises. Trump made the surprise ann

South Korea president stresses US alliance as many baffled by Trump order to cut exercises  AP News

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says a solid alliance with the United States strengthens foundation of national security

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

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

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.

A day earlier, Trump posted a photo of himself standing next to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, writing that the two leaders get along great.