South Korean, U.S. militaries shorten drills after Trump ordered reduction
The US and South Korea have shortened their joint military exercises following a directive from President Donald Trump to reduce the US role. While the US cites diplomatic outreach to North Korea, experts warn that the reduction could undermine the readiness of the long-standing military alliance.
Why it matters
The decision underscores the tension between diplomatic efforts with North Korea and the maintenance of regional security commitments in the Pacific.
The South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their drills at the U.S.'s request, South Korean officials said on Wednesday (August 19), days after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered cuts to the exercises.
The allies' summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began on Monday (August 17) morning for an 11-day run, just after Mr. Trump ordered his Pentagon chief to “substantially reduce” them. Mr. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran.
South Korea's military said in a statement the ongoing drills with the U.S. would end on Friday, not August 27 as initially planned. It said the allies also agreed to downsize some joint field training exercises.
Many experts say Mr. Trump's move threatens to hurt combined U.S.-South Korean readiness and eventually weaken their decades-long alliance.
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