Trump orders US military to reduce drills with South Korea, says they send โhostile’ signal
Washington: US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce planned joint military exercises with South Korea, just as the annual drills were set to begin. Trump linked the decision to his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and also criticised South Korea for declining to support US efforts to denuclearise Iran. The announcement came on Sunday, August 16, ahead of the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which were scheduled to begin on August 17. Around 18,000 South Korean troops were expected to participate in the drills, which are designed to strengthen the allies' readiness against…