Pakistan, Aug. 17 -- US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. He cited the high cost of the drills and Seoul's refusal to support US actions against Iran. Trump made the announcement hours before the exercises were scheduled to begin. He said cancelling the drills entirely was no longer possible. However, he directed the Pentagon to reduce their scale. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises are scheduled from August 17 to 27.

Read More: North Korea warns of new deterrent ahead of US-South Korea drills

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the exercises began on Monday as planned. About 18,000 South Korean troops are taking part in the drills. The exercise...