(BBC) – President Donald Trump has said the US will “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his “very good relationship” with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un.
He also noted on Truth Social that South Korea had recently declined to join the US in the “denuclearisation” of Iran.
“These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile,” Trump posted.
Seoul said it was reviewing Trump’s comments, adding it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks. Pyongyang has not yet commented.
Earlier, South Korea said the drills with the US would proceed “as scheduled”.
It comes after North Korea this month conducted ballistic missile tests banned by the United Nations.
Trump said in his social media post on Sunday that it was “too late to cancel”, as the US and South Korea were due to start their annual military exercises on Monday.
