US Lawmaker Criticises Trump Plan to Scale Back South Korea Military Drills

August 18, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

US Representative Derek Tran of California has criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, warning that the move could weaken military readiness and deterrence in the region.

Tran, a Democrat representing California’s 45th Congressional District, said scaling back the exercises would undermine one of Washington’s key security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

“Reducing these readiness drills serves no legitimate national security objective,” Tran said, arguing that the decision could weaken deterrence against North Korea.

The lawmaker said the move comes as North Korea expands its nuclear capabilities and provides material support to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Tran also warned that reducing joint exercises could affect perceptions of US security commitments among other allies in the Indo-Pacific.

“Suspending joint exercises emboldens Pyongyang,” he said, adding that the decision could signal to regional allies that US security commitments are negotiable.

The comments followed Trump’s announcement that the US would substantially scale back military exercises with South Korea. The drills have long formed part of the two countries’ efforts to maintain operational readiness and coordinate their defence posture on the Korean Peninsula.

Source: FSX Business News