Washington, Aug. 17 -- US President Donald Trump has announced plans to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Seoul's refusal to join Washington's efforts to "denuclearize" Iran.
The decision came just hours before the annual US-South Korea drills were due to begin and despite warnings from US military officials that North Korea has gained significant battlefield experience through its support for Russia's war in Ukraine. South Korea, however, said the exercises would proceed as scheduled.
The move could raise fresh concerns in Seoul over the credibility of the decades-old US security commitment to South Korea.
"Based on my very good ...