*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).
This Changes Things: Advice for the executives and leaders of tomorrow, powered by American Express OPEN. On Between Bells: The year ahead in politics, the best cars of 2018, and why you should eat your feelings. With Salon, Cultura Colectiva, The Drive, and Fast Company.
With President Trump's tax reform bill now signed into law, some major U.S. corporations may now be prompted to bring back their cash from abroad. Raw Story Staff Writer Elizabeth Preza and CRTV Congressional Correspondent Nate Madden explain how people and businesses are reacting to the new tax policy.
Josh Silver, Founder and Director at anti-corruption organization Represent.US, says that gerrymandering and lobbying are the biggest U.S. government woes.
Between Bells brings you the biggest tech, business, and political headlines for December 22, 2017.
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman represents New Jersey's 12th district. She says a majority of people in the country, and her constituents, will see a tax increase under the new law. The Congresswoman points out that estate tax eliminations will benefit the richest Americans, including President Trump.
VF Hive + Between Bells: We’re joined by the crew at Vanity Fair’s Hive to discuss the latest in politics. Between Bells covers culture, tech, and business.
The Democratic Senator from Rhode Island told Cheddar that the bill was a byproduct of "donor maintenance."
VF Hive contributor Chris Smith joins The Hive to report on what might be the next shoe to drop in Robert Mueller's Russia probe. .
The New York Times Magazine's chief national correspondent Mark Leibovich joins The Hive to talk about House Speaker Paul Ryan's ambitions now that the tax reform bill has cleared Congress.
Congress passed the largest overhaul to the American tax code in over three decades. If and when President Trump signs it into law, will Republicans be able to defend the bill, given its low national approval ratings?
