SOUNDBITE: DONALD TRUMP SAYING We will be stopping the war games...

Say that again, Mr.

President?

Officials in South Korea and in the United States seem blindsides Tuesday by President Donald Trump's announcement on the heels of his summit with Kim Jong-Un that the U-S would be suspending military exercises with South Korea.

SOUNDBITE: DONALD TRUMP SAYING ...we will be saving a tremendous amount of money, plus I think it's very provocative.

Trump's choice of of the word "provocative" especially baffling-appearing to mirror North Korea's own rhetoric on the exercises.

A South Korean official told Reuters he was shocked and initially thought Trump had misspoken.

The U-S and South Korea have conducted regular military drills for decades, often drawing an inflamed response from Pyongyang.

U-S command in South Korea says it has received no guidance to cease the drills.

Trump spoke with South Korean President Moon Jae-In on Tuesday and the White House afterward made no mention of the drills.

Trump's pledge to end the war games came after signing a broad agreement to de-nuclearize North Korea that's drawn flack for lacking specifics.

Experts worry the drills are a lot to give up in exchange for no concrete concessions from Pyongyang.

Later Tuesday, the Pentagon said Defense Secretary James Mattis was consulted by Trump before he made the announcement.