Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea

Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce planned joint military exercises with South Korea because he stated they are costly and send an inappropriate signal to North Korea. He cited his personal relationship with Kim Jong Un as a primary reason, adding that South Korea rejected U.S. efforts to denuclearize Iran. The move sharply contrasted with previous statements from administration officials who had praised the joint training exercises designed to enhance readiness against North Korean threats.