South Korean president urges stronger independent defense after Trump orders joint military drills scaled back

The commander of U.S. Forces Korea visited South Korea’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday to discuss plans to scale back joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, according to media reports.

SEOUL, South Korea — The commander of U.S. Forces Korea visited South Korea’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday to discuss plans to scale back joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, according to media reports.

The ministry and USFK did not immediately comment, but reports of the visit by Commander Xavier Brunson came after President Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the drills, and said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had responded to his outreach.

Earlier Tuesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for stronger independent defense capabilities, while saying that annual civil defense exercises held alongside the joint military drills were defensive and not intended to threaten North Korea.

Trump orders reduction of joint exercises with South Korea

Lee said Seoul should proceed without disruption with the planned transfer of wartime operational control from the United States during his term, in line with the government’s existing plan.