Opinion | North Korea can't be trusted. But Trump seems to think they can. - MS NOW

In the United States on 18 August 2026, Trump cut US military drills with South Korea and spoke of a 'good relationship' with Kim Jong Un. South Korea's President Lee said South Korea has 'no intention to attack North Korea' and stressed the US alliance, while NPR reported confusion over the drill cut. Lee also called for the handover of wartime operational control from the US during his term.

Japan stressed 'critical cooperation' as Trump slashed the drills, and Nikkei Asia reported that Japan braces for Trump demands on defence and the yen ahead of the US midterms. The Associated Press wrote that Trump slighted South Korea in favour of the North, and the Korea Herald reported a tougher message for Seoul behind his overtures to Pyongyang. An MS NOW opinion piece argued that North Korea cannot be trusted but Trump seems to think it can.