South Korea Hopes for US-North Korea Dialogue After Trump Cuts Military Drills
Apnews · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
South Korea on Monday expressed hopes for the resumption of diplomacy between the United States and North Korea following President Donald Trump's order to substantially reduce joint military exercises with Seoul. The 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began as scheduled Monday morning despite Trump's announcement, with the specific parts being downsized still unknown .
Key Points
- US President Donald Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
- Trump claimed North Korea has been "unthreatening and respectful" during his administration and said the exercises sent a "totally inappropriate and hostile" signal
- US Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson visited South Korea's Defence Ministry on Tuesday to discuss scaling back the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for stronger independent defence capabilities, faster progress on nuclear-powered submarines, and proceeding with wartime operational control transfer
- Experts say Kim Jong Un, emboldened by his advancing nuclear arsenal and expanded military cooperation with Russia, is unlikely to return to talks without significant US concessions