ALBAWABA - U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the military to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea citing their refusal to join the Iran war and his own close personal relationship with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
Trump ordered the Defense Department to significantly reduce military exercises with the South Korean military, saying that the annual military drills sent a “signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile” to North Korea, who he also added had been ““unthreatening and respectful” during his presidency.
Trump initially wanted to stop the exercises from occurring at all this year but was apparently too late to stop it, saying:
“Based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!” Trump wrote on social media.
Adding a jab toward South Korea, he said:
“While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, ‘No thanks!’” he wrote.
South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung said that his administration had “actively participated” in international talks aimed at achieving a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, and that it was in close participation with the U.S. “regarding practical and military contributions.”
South Korea is undeterred by Trump’s close relationship with North Korea, viewing it as a potential good thing, saying:
“[South Korea] hopes that the friendly relationship between the leaders of the United States and North Korea will lead to meaningful U.S.-North Korea dialogue, thereby opening discussions aimed at advancing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,”
To this end, the government will make the necessary diplomatic efforts as a ‘pace-setter,’ in close coordination with the United States.”
