Trump Directs Pentagon to Scale Back Joint Military Drills with South Korea

Why it matters locally: As the nation's capital, District of Columbia houses federal agencies and personnel directly involved in national defense policy and international relations, making decisions regarding military exercises of direct relevance to the federal workforce and strategic discussions occurring within the city.

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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to decrease the extent of joint military exercises conducted with South Korea. President Trump communicated this directive, citing South Korea's level of assistance concerning Iran, according to reports. The United States and South Korea have historically conducted various joint military drills. These exercises serve as a cornerstone of their longstanding defense alliance. President Trump's instruction impacts the planning and execution of these recurring joint training operations. The specific exercises affected and the precise nature of the scale-back were not immediately detailed in public statements. This development follows previous instances where President Trump has commented on the cost and scope of these military exercises.