US President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce upcoming joint military exercises with South Korea, arguing that the drills are expensive and send an inappropriate and hostile signal to North Korea.

Trump said it was too late to cancel the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise completely, but directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to scale back US participation.

South Korea Says Exercises Will Continue

Despite Trump's directive, South Korea has confirmed that the annual military exercise will proceed as scheduled from August 17 to August 27.

Around 18,000 South Korean troops are participating in the drills, which are designed to strengthen joint readiness against potential threats from North Korea.

Details about which US forces or activities could be reduced have not been fully disclosed.

Focus on Modern Warfare Threats

This year's training reflects changing battlefield conditions and focuses heavily on modern security threats.

Exercises include preparations for drone attacks, cyberattacks and GPS disruption, alongside broader command-and-control and defensive operations.

The training comes as military planners increasingly study lessons from recent conflicts, including the extensive use of drones and electronic warfare.

Read more: Iran Launches Drones at US Warships After Gulf of Oman Incident

Trump Cites Relationship With Kim Jong Un

Trump has also pointed to his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while explaining his opposition to the drills.

He has previously criticised US-South Korean exercises as costly and provocative and has sought diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang. The latest decision has therefore renewed questions about Washington's approach toward North Korea.

North Korea Opposes Joint Drills

North Korea routinely condemns US-South Korean military exercises, describing them as preparations for an attack.

Pyongyang has reacted strongly to previous drills and has frequently used such exercises as justification for strengthening its military capabilities.

The latest US decision could therefore be viewed as an attempt to reduce tensions and create additional space for diplomacy, although analysts have also raised concerns about its potential impact on military readiness and deterrence.

Impact on US-South Korea Alliance

Trump's order could create uncertainty over the future scale of joint exercises between Washington and Seoul.

South Korea continues to view the drills as an important part of maintaining military readiness, while Washington's decision to reduce participation could lead to renewed debate over alliance commitments in the region.