Trump trims drills, rattling Korea alliance amid Iran dispute
President Trump directed a substantial cut to the Korea-U.S. joint drills, publicising the order on Truth Social and reducing the exercises from 11 days to five, a move that surprised Seoul and rekindled worries about the reliability of the long-standing alliance as Washington shapes its Iran policy. Seoul is weighing its posture, with President Lee urging continued alliance value while advocating stronger self-reliant defense and possible practical contributions, amid editorials and public debate over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and broader security commitments.