🔻South Korea says it has begun a military drill with the United States

A few hours after Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said he would significantly reduce the level of his country’s military drills with South Korea, Seoul announced that these drills have started.

Trump said Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, was behind his decision.

He called the drills costly and hostile and pointed to South Korea’s refusal to join talks related to Iran’s nuclear program.

The annual Freedom Shield drill is held to prepare for a potential attack on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea is still busy developing its nuclear weapons and last week also conducted several tests of ballistic missiles.

Donald Trump said he wants to significantly reduce joint military drills with South Korea because of the “very good relationship” he has with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader.

Donald Trump met Kim Jong Un seven years ago during his first term as president. Trump was the first U.S. president to visit North Korea.