U.S. media reported on the 18th: "Regarding President Donald Trump's directive on August 16 to significantly reduce the 11-day U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises scheduled for Monday (August 17), the South Korean government stated on Monday that it hopes the friendly relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un can facilitate talks aimed at promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, with Seoul also pledging to support these peace efforts."
Commentary: South Korea, which has long maintained a hardline stance toward North Korea, now finds itself in a very awkward position. Trump's unilateral decision to scale back the U.S.-South Korea joint military drills—without prior adequate consultation—represents a self-initiated adjustment of alliance military arrangements and sends a clear signal of easing tensions toward North Korea. South Korea lacks the power to alter the U.S. decision and can only respond accordingly, hoping that the personal rapport between Trump and Kim Jong-un will drive dialogue on the peninsula. This incident also reveals that within the U.S.-South Korea alliance, South Korea holds limited influence; the diplomatic and military rhythm on the Korean Peninsula is largely in American hands, leaving South Korea with little choice but to passively comply.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873898515744779/
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