Trump tells Hegseth to cut back U.S.-South Korea drills
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Newsletters Axios Local Show Axios Pro Axios Live The Axios Show Login Axios All topics Axios Search Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy Trump tells Hegseth to cut back U.S.-South Korea drills Rebecca Falconer email (opens in new window) sms (opens in new window) facebook (opens in new window) twitter (opens in new window) linkedin (opens in new window) bluesky (opens in new window) Add Axios on Google Add Axios as your preferred source to
Add Axios on Google President Trump gestures in Maryland on Sunday. Photo: Kent Nishmura/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump said Sunday he instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" U.S. military exercises with South Korea.
The big picture: Trump cited his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for condemning the drills — and also noted on Truth Social that South Korea declined his request to help the U.S. denuclearize Iran .
What he's saying: "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 wrote.
Context: The U.S. and South Korean militaries were due to start regular military drills on Monday in an exercise known as " Ulchi Freedom Shield ."
Friction point: On Wednesday, North Korea conducted a ballistic missile test for the first time since June, which experts and military officials assessed as an apparent protest against the drills.
What we're watching: The Japan-based USS George Washington is being redeployed from the Pacific to the Middle East, where it is expected to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln .
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
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