U.S. Department of Defense: Implementing President's Directive to Reduce U.S.-South Korea Military Exercises

[Global Times Special Correspondent Chen Qi] Recently, U.S. President Trump requested the Department of Defense to significantly reduce the scale of joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea. This decision has sparked mixed reactions in both U.S. political and military circles. A Department of Defense official told U.S. Military News, "The Department of Defense is actively implementing the directives issued by Trump."

According to reports, just hours before the annual U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises were set to begin, Trump posted on the "Truth Social" platform on the 16th, instructing Defense Secretary Hegseth to make "substantial reductions" to the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. One reason for Trump's decision was South Korea's refusal to participate in the joint military action against Iran initiated by the U.S. and Israel at the end of February. On the 17th, a U.S. Department of Defense official, when responding to a question from a South Korean reporter about Trump's statement, said they are actively implementing the president's directives but did not specify what specific measures are being taken to implement the directives.

Some media speculate that the U.S. side has begun work to reduce the scale of the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, or is coordinating with the South Korean military to adjust the scale of the "Eulji Freedom Shield" joint military exercises. However, the South Korean Ministry of Defense stated on the 17th that the "Eulji Freedom Shield" exercises are proceeding as planned.

According to reports from the Russian Satellite News Agency, Trump's decision to "significantly reduce" the scale of U.S.-South Korea military exercises has been condemned by several lawmakers. In addition to Republican Senator Thom Tillis expressing confusion, Reed, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee from the Democratic Party, called the president's decision "foolish and contradictory." Senator Mark Warner, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed surprise at the decision: "My goodness! Even this move has shocked me!" In a video posted on social media, this lawmaker questioned, "Which side is he really on?" Democratic Representative Pramila also strongly criticized the decision to significantly reduce the scale of the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. Pramila believes that Trump "is eager to become an authoritarian leader of the U.S. and has decided to leave South Korea behind," calling this decision "extremely dangerous for the stability of the region."