US President Donald Trump mentioned South Korea had declined his request to hitch the USA in efforts to denuclearise Iran, and mentioned he had consequently instructed the Pentagon to considerably cut back joint army workouts with Seoul.
In a publish on Reality Social on Sunday, Trump mentioned he had not too long ago requested the South Korean president whether or not Seoul wished to hitch the US within the “Denuclearisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, to which he mentioned South Korea responded, “No thanks!”
Trump linked the choice to his instruction to considerably cut back the annual joint army workouts with South Korea, saying it was too late to cancel the drills totally.
The Ulchi Freedom Protect workouts are scheduled to run from August 17 to 27.
Trump also cited his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a cause for being sad with the US participation within the workouts.
He described the drills as pricey and mentioned they despatched an “inappropriate and hostile” sign to North Korea, which he mentioned had remained “unthreatening and respectful” throughout his presidency.
Trump mentioned he had instructed Secretary of Battle Pete Hegseth to “considerably cut back” the joint army workouts, whereas acknowledging that the choice to take part had been agreed way back.
His remarks come amid the continuing US-Israeli battle with Iran and Washington’s efforts to rally companions round its marketing campaign to strain Tehran over its nuclear programme.
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