Donald Trump on Tuesday repeated a social media message about his directive to scale back South Korea-U.S. military exercises and his "very good" relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The post was identical to one he made on Aug. 16 except for a change in tense, and it came a day after he posted three photos of his meetings with Kim in Singapore in June 2018 and at the border village of Panmunjom in June 2019.
What did the post say? "Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I was not happy with the fact that the United States had, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea," Trump said on Truth Social. He called the exercises costly and said they "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to a country he described as "unthreatening and respectful" during his presidency. The post also repeated his claim that South Korea did not accede to his request to help the U.S. address the Iran war.
What has changed in the drills? Earlier this month Trump instructed the Pentagon to "substantially" scale back the allied exercises. Seoul and Washington then shortened the annual combined Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise to five days from 11, with other field training events reduced or canceled.
Is a meeting with Kim in view? The post came amid speculation that Trump could pursue a meeting with Kim during his next trip to Asia, likely for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November. On Aug. 15 he posted a photo of their Panmunjom meeting, repeating his claim that the two "get along great."
How has Pyongyang responded? Kim made no mention of Trump's overtures while presiding over an enlarged meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea's political bureau, Korea Times reported. He called there for "extraordinary responsibility and high prudence" in carrying out major state projects and pointed to "a series of deviations" that the state media report did not specify. North Korean state media have remained silent on the U.S. president's repeated interest in reengaging with Kim.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
