US-led drills to end six days early, South Korea says, amid Trump push for Kim Jong-un talks
The US has decided to cut short the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises with South Korea at the request of the Pentagon. This move follows President Trump's criticism of the drills as costly and hostile, signaling a shift in diplomatic strategy toward North Korea.
Why it matters
The decision highlights a potential shift in US-South Korea defense cooperation and reflects the Trump administration's preference for diplomatic engagement with North Korea over traditional military posturing.
US and South Korean soldiers take part in a joint bridging drill near the Southern Han River in Yeoju, South Korea in 2025. US and South Korean soldiers take part in a joint bridging drill near the Southern Han River in Yeoju, South Korea in 2025. South Korea US-led drills to end six days early, South Korea says, amid Trump push for Kim Jong-un talks South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff said the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise would end on 21 August at the request of the US
Prefer the Guardian on Google South Korea’s military has confirmed that joint military drills with the US will be cut short, days after Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back the exercises.
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