# Trump instructs Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea

https://mins.news/en/item/23753

- China News Service, 2026-08-17 01:18 UTC
- Politics
- Original: http://www.ecns.cn/news/politics/2026-08-17/detail-ihfifqmx7365103.shtml

> U.S. President Donald Trump said he instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, calling them costly and an inappropriate, hostile signal. He also cited Seoul’s refusal to join U.S. actions to “denuclearize” Iran.

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