Trump cuts military drills with South Korea citing ‘very good relationship’ with Kim Jong-un – US politics live
President orders Pentagon to scale back ‘inappropriate and hostile’ exercises with South KoreaHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.US president Donald Trump said he ordered the Pentagon to s
World
theguardian.com
17.08.2026
Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea
President Trump explained the decision by saying South Korea had declined to help with the "denuclearization" of Iran and he cited his good relationship with North Korea's leader.
World
npr.org
17.08.2026
Trump ordered the Pentagon to reduce the scale of military exercises with South Korea
US President Donald Trump has instructed Pentagon chief Pete Hegsett to significantly reduce the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea.
Azerbaijan
report.az
17.08.2026
South Korea players want K League season change due to ‘worsening climate’
South Korea football players push for a K League season shift as 'punishing heat' hitting summer matches.
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aljazeera.com
14.08.2026
South Korea announces more than $1 trillion AI, chip investment drive
South Korean president frames the push as a race against time to secure the country's domination in AI boom.
World
aljazeera.com
29.06.2026
South Korean police break up 35-hour polling station protest
South Korean police break up 35-hour polling station protest
World
aljazeera.com
05.06.2026
South Korean activists smash Starbucks cups to protest ‘Tank Day’ campaign
South Korean activists smash Starbucks cups to protest ‘Tank Day’ campaign
World
aljazeera.com
22.05.2026
Could a football match soften North Korea-South Korea relations?
A North Korean women's football team played in South Korea marking the first time athletes from the North have crossed the border in nearly 8 years.
World
bbc.com
20.05.2026
Israel in row with South Korean leader over Palestinian abuse concerns
South Korea's president says it’s disappointing Israel does not 'even once reflect on criticisms from around the world'.
World
aljazeera.com
11.04.2026
South Africa celebrates reaching World Cup knockout stage for first time
South Africa’s team has celebrated reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after defeating South Korea.
World
aljazeera.com
25.06.2026
North Korea launches missiles, Seoul says, after Trump floats Kim meet
North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday, the South said, and Pyongyang mocked US "servant" Seoul, after President Donald Trump suggested he would meet Kim Jong Un this yea
World
france24.com
20.08.2026
North Korea launches missiles as Trump seeks to rekindle nuclear talks
Hours after Trump said he expects to hold new talks with Kim Jong Un, South Korea and Japan said several short-range missiles were launched by the North.
World
cbsnews.com
20.08.2026
North Korea fires a suspected missile toward the sea, Japan says
The suspected launch on Thursday comes a day after North Korea shrugged off a U.S. decision to scale back military drills with South Korea in an apparent bid to resume diplomacy.
World
npr.org
20.08.2026
North Korean Official Dismisses Reduced Drills Between US and South Korea
Kim Yo-jong, a powerful adviser and sister of Kim Jong-un, also said she was “unaware” of any communication with Washington, contradicting President Trump’s claim her brother had responded to his outr
Politics
nytimes.com
19.08.2026
South Korea admits Trump blindsided Seoul by cutting military drills
The alliance has staged joint exercises for more than 70 years — but the U.S. president highlighted his "very good relationship" with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in scaling them back.
Politics
politico.eu
19.08.2026
The US and Korea will end joint military exercises ahead of schedule
The South Korean and US Armed Forces will end the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises ahead of schedule on August 21.
Azerbaijan
report.az
19.08.2026
Trump’s Korea move creates more headaches for Takaichi
The U.S. president's order to shorten allied exercises with South Korea to avoid sending "inappropriate and hostile" signals to Pyongyang jolted Seoul with immediate implications.
World
japantimes.co.jp
19.08.2026
U.S. and South Korea to nearly halve joint military drills after Trump criticism
The move appears aimed at luring North Korean leader Kim Jong Un back to talks, years after denuclearization negotiations with Washington collapsed.
World
japantimes.co.jp
19.08.2026
Threatening Friends and Courting Enemies in Trump’s ‘Upside-Down World’
The president’s hostility to allies like Oman, Canada and South Korea, and his affection for adversaries like North Korea, may still shock some. But it comes as little surprise after a decade of uphea
Politics
nytimes.com
19.08.2026
Trump's North Korea overture triggers fears for US alliances
In announcing scaled back joint military drills with South Korea, the US president appears to be moving towards Pyongyang just as North Korea becomes more emboldened.
World
dw.com
18.08.2026