India, Aug. 18 -- US President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" annual joint military exercises with South Korea, citing both the cost of the drills and Seoul's refusal to support American action against Iran, according to a statement posted on Truth Social on Sunday.

The order came hours before the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises were due to begin, with Trump saying he was "not happy" that the US had agreed to participate. "These exercises are not only costly. but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful," the president wrote, in a message that also highlighted his "very good relationshi...