Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea

Trump made the remarks in a social media post as Seoul and Washington are set to kick off their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise this week, which Pyongyang has long decried as war rehearsals.

The US president also cited his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump's comments on Sunday, ahead of the annual "Ulchi Freedom Shield" exercise in South Korea, underscored his willingness to challenge long-standing military alliances, as he harked back to his negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his first term that failed in the goal of tackling its nuclear program.

Trump also mentioned South Korea’s refusal to join the Iran war.