US to halve military drills with South Korea under Trump order

The United States military is preparing to cut its scheduled joint exercises with South Korea by approximately half, according to South Korean media reports. The move follows an order from President Donald Trump to the Pentagon to reduce the scope and frequency of the drills.

The decision represents a substantial change to US-South Korea military cooperation, which has historically featured regular and extensive joint training operations. These exercises have been a cornerstone of the defense alliance between the two countries for decades, serving as a demonstration of combined military readiness and coordination.

The reduction in drills could have implications for the peninsula's security dynamics at a time of ongoing tensions with North Korea. South Korea's military establishment will need to reassess training schedules and coordinate adjustments to ensure operational effectiveness amid the scaled-back exercise regime.

Details regarding the specific scope of the reductions and the timeline for implementation remain unclear. The move reflects the Trump administration's broader approach to military expenditure and overseas deployments, which has emphasized cost reduction and reassessment of US commitments abroad.