Trump tells Hegseth to cut back U.S.-South Korea drills

President Trump said Sunday he instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" U.S. military exercises with South Korea.

The big picture: Trump cited his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for condemning the drills — and also noted on Truth Social that South Korea declined his request to help the U.S. denuclearize Iran.

What he's saying: "These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile," Trump wrote.

Context: The U.S. and South Korean militaries were due to start regular military drills on Monday in an exercise known as "Ulchi Freedom Shield."

• The drills have been held annually under that name since 2022, though the U.S.-South Korea summertime exercises they evolved from date back decades.

Friction point: On Wednesday, North Korea conducted a ballistic missile test for the first time since June, which experts and military officials assessed as an apparent protest against the drills.

• The U.S., Japan and South Korea condemned the missile launch.

What we're watching: The Japan-based USS George Washington is being redeployed from the Pacific to the Middle East, where it is expected to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln.

• That leaves the U.S. without a Pacific aircraft carrier at the same time that Trump is pulling back from the Korean drills.

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.