North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US-South Korea drills near end

South Korea convened an emergency security meeting after North Korea launched over 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula. South Korea condemned the launches as violations of UN Security Council resolutions and urged Pyongyang to cease further actions. The missile launches occurred as South Korea and the US concluded a scaled-back version of their annual military drills, which US President Donald Trump had ordered reduced. North Korea has historically viewed these joint exercises as invasion rehearsals and often conducts missile tests around them. South Korea's Defense Minister stated the missiles are believed to be 600 mm multiple rocket launchers, potentially deployable near the border, and that North Korea possesses 80 to 120 nuclear warheads.

North Korea launched approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters on Thursday. This action followed the United States' decision, ordered by President Donald Trump, to scale back joint military drills with South Korea. South Korea's military detected the launches and is coordinating with the US and Japan, while also urging North Korea to cease missile tests. North Korea's influential sister, Kim Yo-jong, had previously dismissed the reduction in drills as insufficient to change their provocative nature, despite noting good personal relations between her brother and President Trump. Trump had cited his relationship with Kim Jong-un and South Korea's stance on Iran as reasons for reducing the exercises.

North Korea launched approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea from its capital region on Thursday, according to South Korea's military. This occurred a day after North Korea dismissed a U.S. decision to scale back joint military drills with South Korea. Japan's prime minister's office also detected a suspected missile launch. South Korea has increased its surveillance and is coordinating with the U.S. and Japan, while its presidential national security council urged North Korea to halt prohibited launches. The missile firings followed U.S. President Donald Trump's order to reduce the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, a move North Korea's Kim Yo Jong deemed insufficient for resuming diplomacy.

US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump stated he is "not happy" with the drills, citing his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and that the exercises send an "inappropriate and hostile" signal. He also mentioned South Korea's refusal to join the US in denuclearizing Iran. While Trump made the order, South Korea's Ministry of Defence indicated the exercises would proceed as scheduled. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, designed to prepare for defense against North Korea, were set to involve 18,000 South Korean soldiers.

President Donald Trump announced the United States will significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump cited his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and stated the drills are costly and send an inappropriate, hostile signal. He also mentioned South Korea's recent refusal to join the US in efforts related to the denuclearization of Iran. This decision follows North Korea's ballistic missile tests. Trump made these remarks on Truth Social on Sunday, noting that the scheduled military exercises were too late to cancel. The article states that US and South Korean military leaders had recently announced the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, an 11-day event similar in scale to previous years.

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to significantly scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump stated on social media that the decision was made because South Korea declined to assist in denuclearizing Iran. He also described the exercises as costly and sending an inappropriate, hostile signal to North Korea, which he believes has been respectful during his time in office. The exercises, designed to enhance readiness against North Korean threats, were scheduled to begin this week and involved 18,000 South Korean soldiers. This move follows previous instances where Trump has expressed skepticism about these joint drills, previously calling them "provocative."

South Korea expressed hope for renewed diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he ordered a substantial reduction in annual joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump cited his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the reason for scaling back the drills, which he deemed costly and inappropriate. The decision surprised many in South Korea, a U.S. ally. While the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began as scheduled, the specific reductions remain unclear. Experts suggest Trump's move indicates a willingness to re-engage with Kim, but North Korea, bolstered by its nuclear program and cooperation with Russia, may demand significant concessions for talks. South Korea's presidential office stated it hopes this development leads to meaningful dialogue for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back military drills with South Korea, describing them as "inappropriate and hostile." This decision is reportedly linked to a "very good relationship" with Kim Jong-un. The article also notes that President Trump reiterated on Monday that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon, citing a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict. He stated this goal on Truth Social.

US President Donald Trump stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his request for a conversation, describing the exchange as "very positive." This announcement came a day after Trump ordered the Pentagon to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump also criticized South Korea for refusing to join the US-led war on Iran, questioning the value of US support for allies who do not reciprocate. He argued that these allies should contribute to US military operations if they expect protection, particularly given the presence of 39,000 US soldiers in South Korea. North Korea has not yet commented on the matter.