Trump slashes US-South Korea military drills

The US and South Korea agreed to sharply scale back their Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises, ending them about a week early after President Trump ordered the reduction.

South Korea said it was not informed in advance of the decision, and its foreign minister suggested Trump was using the move to pressure Seoul over Iran and investment issues.

Trump said the exercises were 'insulting' to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with whom he plans to meet later this year.

The scaled-back drills have raised concerns about the US security commitment to the region.