U.S. President Donald Trump's order to curb joint military ‌drills appeared aimed in part at pressuring Seoul to support U.S. efforts in the Iran war, alongside other unresolved issues such as investment.

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, that South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun made the remarks on Wednesday.

"I think President Trump's message ​includes pressure over several pending issues concerning the South ​Korean government, as well as a message to North ⁠Korea and an intention by the United States to break ​a stalemate in the Iran war," he said.

One potential source ​of friction could be South Korea's pledge to invest $350 billion in the United States under a trade deal signed last year, Cho added.

It should be noted that US President Donald Trump had demanded that South Korea compensate the United States for the cost of defending the country.