India, Aug. 17 -- US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially scale back joint military exercises with South Korea due to begin this week, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and voicing frustration that Seoul had declined to assist Washington's efforts to denuclearise Iran.

Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, President Trump said that based on his "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un, he was unhappy that the United States had long ago agreed to take part in joint military exercises with South Korea. He described the drills as costly, with much of the expense borne by the United States, and said they sent a signal that was "totally inappropriate and hostile" to a country that, he claim...