Trump says DPRK's Kim has responded to his outreach after scaling back US-ROK drills

A day after he ordered the United States to scale back military exercises with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "unthreatening and respectful," US President Donald Trump said on Monday that DPRK leader Kim Jong Un had responded to his outreach.

Asked by a reporter in the Oval Office why Kim had not responded to his efforts to reengage, Trump responded, "he has." He did not provide further details.

Trump said he was making the situation "much safer" through his ties to Kim. "You see, I'm actually making it much safer. Kim Jong Un has always treated me with great respect," Trump said. "I understand him. He understands me."

Trump on Sunday instructed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" ​joint military exercises with the ROK, citing the cost of the drills and Seoul's refusal to take part in actions against Iran.

"I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

"These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile," he said.

"Therefore, and based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!" Trump said.

The US president also mentioned Seoul's refusal to join US actions to "denuclearize" Iran.

The ROK presidential office Blue House said on Monday that it hopes the relationship between Trump and Kim will lead to meaningful dialogue and discussions on advancing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The ROK government will make necessary diplomatic efforts as a "pace-maker" in close coordination with the United States, the Blue House said.

Seoul and Washington have closely coordinated on maintaining a firm combined defense posture as well as joint exercises and training, and will continue to coordinate on specific details, it added.

(With input from agencies)