South Korea and Japan stress stress ‘critical’ US alliance as Trump slashes military drills

South Korea’s president said on Tuesday that a solid alliance with the United States underpins national security, after US President Donald Trump’s abrupt order to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises left many South Koreans baffled and concerned.

In a regular Cabinet meeting, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stressed the importance of a firm military alliance with the US, saying that “national security will be further strengthened when the alliance is solid.”

“When we build up our strengths, our value and importance as an ally…