Trump opens door to talks with North Korea's Kim with downsized drills

International relationsPyongyang says recognition of nuclear power status must come before dialogueU.S. President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Kong Un in Singapore in 2018. © APJUNNOSUKE KOBARA and ERIKA KOBAYASHIAugust 18, 2026 02:52 JSTWASHINGTON/SEOUL -- U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a r

US President Donald Trump's order to cut military exercises with South Korea caused concerns it might hurt the allies' readiness against North Korean threats.

South Korea on Monday expressed hopes for resumption of diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea to ease animosities on the Korean Peninsula, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s order to cut military exercises with South Korea caused concerns it might hurt the allies’ readiness against North Korean threats.

South Korea has expressed hopes for resumption of diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea to ease animosities on the Korean Peninsula

US President Donald Trump called for US-South Korean military drills to be scaled back just hours before they were due to begin, describing North Korea as 'unthreatening and respectful'. South Korea said it hoped Trump’s personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could help bring Pyongyang back to the n

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.

President says move is based on ‘very good relationship with Kim Jong-un’ but US military officials have said Ukraine war is boosting regime’s combat 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 count

President Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, citing costs and a hostile signal to Kim Jong Un amid North Korea tensions.

Deafening state media silence over launches could indicate weapons being tested before exportation to Russia