U.S. President Donald Trump's order to substantially reduce the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills with South Korea is increasingly being viewed in Seoul as part of a broader push spanning security, diplomacy and economic issues. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Trump's message appeared aimed at pressuring Seoul over several pending matters, including support for U.S. efforts in the Iran war, unresolved investment commitments and signaling to North Korea. South Korea and the United States said on Wednesday that they would shorten the annual military drills to five days from 11 and scale back some field training after Trump ordered a substantial reduction in U.S. participation. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said he believes Trump is moving closer to potentially arranging a new meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by curtailing exercises that have long angered Pyongyang. The broader dispute had already widened beyond the exercise itself. U.S. criticism has included South Korea's sanctions on Coupang, concerns over a revised network law, frustration over delays in a promised $350 billion investment in the United States, and Trump's complaints that Seoul declined a request to support a military operation against Iran. Cho said one possible source of friction is the investment pledge under last year's trade deal, adding that Washington has sent Seoul a proposal outlining projects that could be considered, while Seoul has yet to announce details because it must weigh commercial viability and legal procedures. Officials and analysts say the episode suggests Trump is again linking alliance management to wider negotiations over trade, regulation and foreign policy, while also using military exercises as leverage in dealing with Pyongyang.