Trump Calls for "Significant Reduction" in US-South Korea Military Exercises
On August 16, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (Reporter Yan Liang) that U.S. President Trump stated on the 16th that he has requested the Department of Defense to significantly reduce the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea.
Trump wrote on social media that these military exercises are "extremely costly," with a large portion of the expenses borne by the United States, and they send "completely inappropriate and hostile signals" to North Korea.
Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the "long-standing agreement" for the United States to participate in joint military exercises with South Korea, considering that he has a "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
He stated that since it is now too late to cancel the exercises, he has instructed the Department of Defense to "significantly reduce" the scale of the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises.
At the end of his post, Trump pointed out that he recently requested South Korea to work with the United States to promote "the denuclearization of Iran," but this was rejected by the South Korean side.
U.S. President Trump requested a significant reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea on August 16, citing their high costs and negative signals to North Korea. He expressed dissatisfaction with the previous agreement to conduct these exercises and noted that it is too late to cancel them entirely. Additionally, Trump mentioned that South Korea rejected his recent request for collaboration on Iran denuclearization.
- Trump requested a significant reduction in U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises.
- The exercises are costly, with a large portion of the expenses borne by the U.S.
- Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the previous agreement to conduct these exercises.
- He indicated that it is too late to cancel the exercises entirely.
- Trump's recent request for South Korea to collaborate on Iran denuclearization was rejected.