Rep. Bera Condemns Trump Decision to Reduce Joint Military Exercises with South Korea

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific and Co-Chair of the Congressional Korea Caucus, issued the following statement after President Trump announced plans to substantially reduce joint military exercises between the United States and the Republic of Korea:
“Secretary Rubio told me directly in a hearing this June that America’s security posture on the Korean Peninsula 'remains the same.'
“Now President Trump says he is substantially reducing joint military exercises with South Korea because of his personal relationship with Kim Jong Un.
“What changed?
“South Korea is a democratic ally that has stood alongside the United States for decades. At a time when confidence in America’s security commitments is already being tested, weakening our deterrence posture to accommodate a communist dictator is a betrayal of a democratic ally and further undermines America’s credibility across the Indo-Pacific.
“Our allies need to know that America’s word means something. Decisions that affect military readiness and the security of the Korean Peninsula must be made in close coordination with Seoul and based on our national security interests, not President Trump’s personal relationships.”