Why Donald Trump Is Shifting His North Korea Policy

Donald Trump has announced that the United States will "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, citing a "very good relationship" with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong‑Un. The shift comes after Trump expressed frustration with Seoul for declining to join the US in pushing for Iran denuclearisation.

BBC’s Tom Bateman explains how Trump’s relationship with Kim Jong‑Un has evolved, noting a broader recalibration of US commitments in the Korean Peninsula. The announcement raises questions about the future strength of the US‑South Korea alliance and a potential change in regional security dynamics.

The move underscores the difficulty of balancing engagement with deterrence while addressing shifting geopolitical priorities in the Middle East and East Asia. Analysts warn that lighter US military involvement could affect South Korea’s capacity to deter North Korea’s increasing ballistic missile tests.

For a deeper dive into Trump’s policy shift and its implications, read the full report from BBC News.