*By Christian Smith* South Koreans responded with a mix of optimism and worry Tuesday after President Trump announced he would suspend joint military exercises with South Korea as Kim Jong-un considers how to dismantle North Korea's nuclear arsenal. President Moon Jae-In of South Korea [watched on TV and smiled](https://www.facebook.com/KoreaClickers/photos/rpp.181274814520/10156484091904521/?type=3&theater) as the American president and the North Korean leader met in Singapore. But Trump's unexpected announcement that he would stop joint military drills made some of America's allies in South Korea uneasy, according to Martyn Williams, editor at NorthKoreaTech.org. "The right wing in South Korea is already not very pleased with these military drills stopping taking place," Williams said in an interview with Cheddar. The president's statement, which appeared to be an off-the-cuff comment in a discussion with reporters after his meeting with Kim, was not part of the joint statement signed by the two leaders. The United States and South Korea conduct regular war games to prepare for the possibility of a conflict with North Korea, and there are about 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. Trump had said he hoped to strike a deal with Kim to eliminate North Korea's nuclear program, and touted the "very comprehensive" statement the leaders agreed to at the summit. But Williams said denuclearization will take more negotiations. "I think it was a good first step, but what comes next is the most important thing," Williams said. For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-winners-and-losers-of-the-north-korea-summit).

Share:
More In Politics
The Creative Coalition is on a Mission to End the Sexual Harassment Problem
The Creative Coalition is on a mission to bring social justice and advocate for the arts. The group has launched a special PSA to combat sexual harassment. Actor Tim Daly serves as President of The Creative Coalition and Robin Bronk is CEO. The pair joins Cheddar to explain their initiatives and this new campaign.
Rep. Gutierrez's (D-IL) Message to Dreamers: 'Stay Strong, Stay Loud'
As a child of immigrants, Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez is a fierce advocate for DACA recipients. Cheddar spoke with Congressman Gutierrez moments after Democrats in the Senate agreed to table a bill that would protect Dreamers until a later date, solely based on a promise from Republican Senate majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Senate Passes Temporary Funding Bill
The government is close to reopening. The Senate voted Monday in favor of a temporary spending bill to fund the government until February 8th. The Daily Beast's White House Reporter Lachlan Markay explains rhetoric on Capitol Hill over this short-term resolution.
Agree To Disagree: Government Shutdown Edition
Congress appears to be on course to get the government back up and running soon, but what lasting impacts, if any, will the shutdown have on both political parties? Jack Hunter, Editor of Rare Politics, and Elizabeth Preza, Writer at Raw Story, discuss in this week's edition of "Agree to Disagree."
Between Bells: January 22, 2018
Between Bells: Government shutdown latest, women run for office in record numbers, all the latest from the Sundance Film Festival, and the biggest moments from the SAG Awards. With Rare Media, The Raw Story, CinemaBlend and more.
The Women's March to Elected Office
This year will see a historic number first-time female candidates seeking public office. Shay White is running to be the first African-American and first woman elected to Oklahoma's House District 77. She joins Cheddar to discuss her boundary-breaking campaign.
Whose Shutdown Was It Anyway?
As the three-day government shutdown comes to a close, politicians are still placing blame and deflecting responsibility. CBN's Jenna Browder joins Cheddar to discuss what the next few weeks hold in store as immigration negotiations resume.
2017 Brought the Heat
Rachel Feltman, science editor at PopSci, discusses the recent NASA report that found 2017 was the second warmest year on record, only behind 2016.
Load More