Trump Says He’s Curtailing Military Drills With South Korea

On 16 August 2026, Trump said he instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce US military exercises with South Korea. Reports give different reasons: his 'very good' relationship with Kim Jong Un and a lack of help on Iran. ABC reports he called the drills 'hostile'. The reduction comes as North Korea ramps up missile tests, and North Korea has been silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end the Korean War.

Separately, the US military is moving its last aircraft carrier out of the Pacific to prioritize operations in Iran, according to the New York Post.