STATEMENT: Rep. Dave Min on President Trump’s Order to Reduce U.S.–ROK Joint Military Exercises

August 20, 2026 Press Release Washington, DC — Representative Dave Min (CA-47) issued the following statement after President Trump abruptly ordered a substantial reduction in joint U.S.–South Korea military exercises as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began: “Since the Korean War effectively ended in 1953, the Republic of Korea has been one of America’s staunchest and most loyal allies. The partnership between our two countries has been a crucial one for the US economy and our strategic interests in East Asia and the Pacific. President Trump’s latest comments undermine that partnership and continue Trump’s trend of alienating our closest allies and endangering the steady peace that we have enjoyed over the past few decades. I have seen firsthand the strength of the U.S.–ROK partnership and the commitment of American and South Korean servicemembers working side by side to deter aggression on the Korean Peninsula. I know that the vast majority of my colleagues– both Democrats and Republicans– and most of the senior people in the Trump administration support the Republic of Korea and quietly oppose Trump’s dangerous rhetoric. We remain committed to the US-ROK alliance and will continue to do all we can to maintain this alliance and to deter aggression by Kim Jong Un and North Korea.” ###