Trump orders a sharp cut to military drills with South Korea, while praising Kim Jong-un | The Refract
What the comparison reveals
What everyone says
Donald Trump has ordered Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with Kim Jong-un and describing these drills as 'costly' and 'hostile' towards Pyongyang.
Trump ties his decision to South Korea's refusal to join the US in denuclearization efforts against Iran, a refusal summed up by a 'No thanks!' attributed to Seoul.
The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises will mobilize around 18,000 South Korean troops from August 17 to 27, 2026.
Where it breaks apart
— Actual scope of the announced reduction — Trump's announcement mentions a substantial reduction in exercises, but several outlets report the South Korean Defense Ministry's response - that the maneuvers continue with no notable change - while others repeat the announcement without this counterpoint.
— Interpretation of the gesture towards Pyongyang — Some media outlets view the reduction as a personal gesture of goodwill from Trump towards Kim Jong-un, while others see it primarily as a risk to the security guarantee offered to regional allies, without expecting reciprocity from North Korea.
Diplomatie & Gouvernance
Trump orders a sharp cut to military drills with South Korea, while praising Kim Jong-un
published on
August 17, 2026
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gap
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, August 16, 2026, that he has instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, citing his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
No concrete reduction has been confirmed: the South Korean military says the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise is proceeding as planned, with no official notification from Washington
The complaint about Iran
Trump criticizes Seoul for declining his request to join the effort to denuclearize Iran.
Ulchi Freedom Shield
Annual exercise between allies, including this year cybersecurity and anti-drone components.
The precedent of his first term
In 2018-2019, Trump had already suspended or reduced these exercises, framing them as "provocative"
Understand the context
AUG 15, 2026
Trump shared a 2019 photo with Kim Jong-un, saying they get along very well
AUG 16, 2026
Trump announced he has ordered the Pentagon to reduce exercises with South Korea
AUG 17, 2026
The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise has begun; Seoul says it is proceeding as planned from August 17 to 27
Key figures
18 000
South Korean military personnel are participating in the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise
