{"id":2665,"date":"2026-08-17T11:07:39","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T11:07:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2665"},"modified":"2026-08-17T11:07:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T11:07:39","slug":"south-korea-hopes-for-talks-between-us-and-north-korea-after-trump-downsizes-military-drills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2665","title":{"rendered":"South Korea hopes for talks between US and North Korea after Trump downsizes military drills"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) \u2014 South Korea on Monday expressed hopes for resumption of diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea to ease animosities on the Korean Peninsula, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump<\/span> said he ordered annual U.S. military exercises with South Korea to be scaled back<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Read more Iran working to finalize Hormuz agreement with Oman, and other news from the Middle East<\/a><\/p>\n

Trump cited his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un<\/span> for the decision. The announcement baffled many in South Korea, a key U.S. ally in Asia where national security is a top priority due to threats from nuclear-armed North Korea. <\/p>\n

The 11-day, summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield<\/span> exercises began Monday morning as scheduled and it wasn\u2019t known which parts of the training were being downsized. <\/p>\n

North Korea did not immediately respond to the announcement. North Korea previously threatened strong responses<\/span> to the U.S.-South Korean exercises, which it views as an invasion rehearsal. <\/p>\n

Experts say Trump\u2019s step signals his willingness to reengage with Kim, but the North Korean leader, now emboldened by his advancing nuclear arsenal<\/span> and expanding military cooperation with Russia<\/span>, won\u2019t likely return to talks unless he is assured of serious U.S. concessions. <\/p>\n

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Trump orders military to \u2018substantially reduce\u2019 drills<\/h2>\n

Trump said in a social media post that the exercises are not only costly but \u201csend a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile\u201d to North Korea, which he said \u201chas been unthreatening and respectful\u201d during his time in the White House. <\/p>\n

Trump instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to \u201csubstantially reduce\u201d the exercises, he said, adding that he recently asked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung<\/span> if they would join the U.S. in the \u201cdenuclearization\u201d of Iran, \u201cand they said, \u2018No thanks!\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s move is the latest example of the American president appearing to turn against an ally in favor of a leader cast by previous administrations as an adversary. Trump and others in his administration also have railed against NATO allies<\/span> over a perceived lack of support for his war against Iran<\/span>, even as they seek to confront an increasingly aggressive Russia in the Baltic region. <\/p>\n

The trust many South Koreans have in the U.S. has eroded following a tariff war instigated by Trump\u2019s administration and his transactional approach<\/span> to security.<\/p>\n

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South Korea hopes for talks between US and North Korea<\/h2>\n

Lee\u2019s presidential office said later Monday that South Korea hopes \u201cfriendly relationship\u201d between Trump and Kim would lead to \u201cmeaningful dialogue\u201d between the U.S. and North Korea and start discussions on promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. It said that South Korea will make necessary diplomatic efforts for that. <\/p>\n

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South Korea and the U.S. are closely discussing practical and military contributions that can be made to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz<\/span>, according to South Korea\u2019s presidential office, which said the countries have been closely coordinating over their joint military drills and readiness.<\/p>\n

Lee is a liberal who espouses improved ties with North Korea. Since taking office last year, his government has taken proactive steps to improve ties with North Korea, including turning off front line loudspeakers<\/span> that blared K-pop music and world news and banning activists from flying balloons<\/span> carrying propaganda leaflets toward North Korea. <\/p>\n

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