South Korea hopes for talks between US and North Korea after Trump downsizes military drills
Seoul said the move could help restart U.S.-North Korea diplomacy as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began, with 18,000 South Korean troops taking part.
- The 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began on Monday in South Korea, though President Donald Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" the drills, citing his "good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
- Hours before exercises began, Trump labeled the drills "inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea in a social media post, claiming Pyongyang has remained "unthreatening and respectful" during his time in the White House.
- Focusing on drone warfare and cyber attacks, the maneuvers involve 18,000 South Korean and U.S. troops; the Blue House stated it remains in "close coordination" with Washington regarding the training schedule.
- Reviewing the comments, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's office expressed hopes that the "friendly relationship" between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to "meaningful dialogue" on the Korean Peninsula.
- Downsizing exercises "can damage alliance coordination," analyst Easley warned, while North Korea vowed on Friday to respond to such drills with "a new level of a deterrent.
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South Korean Presidency says annual military manoeuvres with the United States are not targeting North Korea, despite the reduction in US participation decided by Donald Trump
The fundamental objective is not to "treat a specific entity as an adversary, but to preserve, in safety and peace, the daily lives of the population," said President Lee Jae Myung, according to his services. The South Korean leader, when he came to power in 2025, took the foothills of his predecessor, considered very firm, by proposing unconditional talks. But Pyongyang did not respond at this stage. Donald Trump, for his part, invoked his "ver…
The US cuts its military maneuvers in South Korea without asking anything in return for Pionyang, while Seoul tries to fit the unilateral measure
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