U.S. politicians and media are voicing criticism and concern after President Donald Trump ordered a reduction of the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises.
On the 16th, AP reported that Sen. Mark Kelly of the Democratic Party (Arizona) criticized on social media that "undermining joint exercises is a shortsighted mistake." Kelly, a former Navy pilot, flew 39 combat missions, including in the Gulf War.
U.S. media suggested Trump's order may be a move to pressure ally Korea. Bloomberg said dissatisfaction within the Trump administration over Korea not providing sufficient support to the U.S. in the Iran war could be the backdrop for the policy shift.
There was also speculation that the decision is connected to the lack of progress on a $200 billion U.S. investment project agreed to in the South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations.
Adam Parray, senior economist at Bloomberg Economics, who served as White House National Security Council (NSC) Director General for the Korean Peninsula and Mongolia under Trump's first term and the Joe Biden administration, said, "Whether it is a lack of progress on the U.S. investment agreement or a refusal to support the Iran war, it may reflect dissatisfaction with the Korean government."
AP noted that the move is a recent example of Trump appearing to "side with the leader of an adversary while opposing an ally." It said the decision marks a sharp turn from the Trump administration's stance toward Korea in recent months.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, after meeting with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek in May, praised Korea's pledge to increase defense spending and its role in the Korean Peninsula's security.
Skepticism emerged over whether scaling back the joint exercises could bring North Korea to the negotiating table.
Senior economist Parray said, "Kim Jong-un, backed by Russia's support, has secured a stronger position and has shown little interest in engaging in talks so far."