Seoul: South Korea and the United States have decided to scale back their joint military exercises that were initially planned for August, following remarks by former US President Donald Trump that were interpreted by KBS radio as sending a “disturbing” message to North Korea.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the original military exercise plan included two phases: the first phase, from August 17 to 21, which simulated a North Korean attack, and the second phase, from August 23 to 27, which was intended to simulate a counterattack. However, an emergency meeting held on August 18 between US and South Korean military officials led to the cancellation of the second phase of the exercises.

A source within the South Korean Ministry of Defense revealed that US forces would withdraw from the region after the completion of the first phase, while both nations continue to seek a formula to complete the shortened version of the exercises. The decision to scale back comes after Trump’s comments that the exercises were costly and sent a “disturbing and hostile signal” to North Korea, despite his claims of having “good” relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.