Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea

President Trump has ordered the Pentagon and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, specifically targeting the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield. Trump described these drills as costly and hostile, signaling a desire to maintain friendship with Kim Jong Un. In response, South Korea's Blue House expressed hope for talks with the Trump administration to manage the relationship, following the last-minute downgrade of troop participation in the scheduled training drills.