Trump's Move Signals Favor to North Korea Over South Korea

President Trump ordered the Pentagon on Sunday to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, days before the drills were set to begin. He posted the order on Truth Social, citing his relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Seoul's stance on Iran.

• 18,000 South Korean soldiers were set to take part in the 11-day exercises.
• The Ulchi Freedom Shield drills were scheduled to run August 17 to 27.
• North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile earlier this month, its first test since late June.
• Trump called the exercises costly and said they send a signal "hostile" to North Korea.

Why it matters: The exercises are the main annual mechanism for keeping US and South Korean forces prepared to respond to North Korean aggression. Reducing them could affect joint readiness at a moment when North Korea has resumed ballistic missile testing.

• In May, Hegseth praised South Korea for its defense spending and called it a model for US allies.
• South Korea's Defense Ministry said the drills will proceed as previously scheduled, signaling disagreement with the order.

How 90 sources split on this story

Where they split: The core dispute is whether reducing the exercises advances diplomacy with North Korea or undermines deterrence and a key US alliance.

What’s next: The Pentagon has not detailed what a reduction will look like in practice.

• Sen. Mark Kelly called cutting the exercises "shortsighted and a mistake."
• How will the Pentagon define 'substantially reduce' — and which exercise components will be cut?
• Will the order prompt North Korea to resume direct diplomacy with Washington, or use the reduction to press for more concessions?
• What does the move signal to other US treaty allies watching the administration's handling of the Korean alliance?