South Korea: close coordination with the United States on defense after Donald Trump's announcement

South Korea said Monday it has been working closely with the United States on its "defense posture" and will continue to do so after President Donald Trump announced ongoing joint military drills would be scaled back.

“South Korea and the United States have maintained close coordination to maintain a strong common defense posture as well as their joint exercises and training, and will continue to coordinate closely,” the South Korean presidency said in a statement to AFP.

“The government is closely monitoring President Trump’s social media message today”

Seoul also said it hoped the personal understanding between Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would bring them back to the negotiating table. “The Government is closely following President Trump's social media message today and hopes that the friendly relationship between the leaders of the United States and North Korea will lead to constructive dialogue.”

The “Ulchi Freedom Shield” joint maneuvers, which are due to begin today and mobilize 18,000 soldiers, “will take place as initially planned,” assured the ministry. In a message on his Truth Social platform, the American president considered that they were “not only costly”, but that they also sent “a totally inappropriate and hostile signal” to North Korea, a country according to him “non-threatening and respectful” since his return to the White House.