Trump Cuts South Korea Drills

President Donald Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” U.S. participation in Ulchi Freedom Shield, the 10-day joint exercise with South Korea involving 18,000 South Korean troops plus U.S. and U.N. forces. Trump announced the change on Sunday, hours before the drills were scheduled to begin, citing costs, Seoul’s refusal to support U.S. action against Iran, and his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea said on Monday it hoped U.S.-North Korea diplomacy would resume to ease tensions on the peninsula.