U.S., South Korean militaries wrap up drills early, day after North's missile barrage
The U.S. and South Korea have ended their annual military drills early in a conciliatory move toward North Korea, despite Pyongyang launching a barrage of ballistic missiles in protest. While President Trump signaled a desire for renewed diplomacy, North Korean officials dismissed the gesture as insufficient and maintained that the exercises remain provocative.
Why it matters
The early conclusion of these drills highlights the fragile state of U.S.-North Korean relations and raises concerns about regional military readiness amid North Korea's deepening strategic alignment with Russia.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries were wrapping up their annual drills six days earlier than initially scheduled on Friday (August 21, 2026) in a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea, though the North said the step isn't enough to convince it to return to talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier abruptly ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises just before they began Monday (August 17). Mr. Trump cited what he described as a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to support him over the war in Iran .
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, brushed aside Mr. Trump's overture on Wednesday (August 19), saying “the provocative, aggressive nature of the drills" won't change only with the reduction of their duration and size.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in