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Trump scales back South Korea drills, prompting regional security concerns
The move drew criticism that it could weaken US allied security and embolden China, while South Korea remains linked to US war aims for Iran.
President Donald Trump’s decision to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea has unsettled allies and raised questions about US security interests across Asia, according to the South China Morning Post, citing analysis from the Associated Press.
Trump said he took the step because South Korea refused to join his war against Iran and because of what he described as a good relationship with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un.
The report quoted former U.S. officials and policy researchers warning the policy could have wider consequences, including undermining South Korea and Japan, alarming Taiwan, unsettling NATO, and emboldening China.
Critics also said the approach effectively rewards an adversary rather than an ally, arguing it could protect Kim Jong-un’s position at the expense of US-South Korean security, the SCMP Economy account noted.