Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to significantly reduce planned joint military exercises with South Korea. The stated reasons included South Korea's refusal to aid in Iran's denuclearization, the high cost of the drills, and the perception that they send an 'inappropriate and hostile' signal to North Korea. This decision aligns with Trump's previous stance during his first term, where he also sought to scale back such exercises amidst diplomatic engagements with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.