South Korea’s Ministry of Defense announced that a joint drill with the United States, known as “Freedom Shield Ulchi,” will be held as scheduled and on time.

The position was put forward in response to a statement by Donald Trump, the president of the United States, who said he had instructed Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary of his country, to “sharply reduce” joint drills.

South Korea’s Ministry of Defense said the drill “will proceed as previously announced and scheduled.”

In a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump wrote: “Although somewhat out of place, I recently asked the president of South Korea whether they would like to join us in the nuclear disarmament of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said no, thank you.”

“Freedom Shield Ulchi” begins today, 26 Mordad, and continues for 11 days until 5 Shahrivar. This drill has been held under the same name since 2022.