South Korea, US scale back annual military drills after Trump’s order
Summary
South Korea and the United States have shortened their joint military drills called Ulchi Freedom Shield from 11 days to 5 days following an order by President Donald Trump to reduce the war games. The changes were made without prior notice to South Korean officials and aim to maintain essential training while responding to Trump’s efforts to improve relations with North Korea.Key Facts
- The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise started on August 17 and will now end on August 21, shorter than originally planned.
- President Trump ordered a “substantial reduction” in the annual US-South Korea military drills.
- Some field training and live exercises were scaled back, with some replaced by simulations.
- South Korean officials were not informed in advance about Trump’s decision to reduce the drills.
- Trump linked the reduction to his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to join the US and Israel in the Iran conflict.
- North Korea called the drills rehearsals for an invasion and condemned the exercises again.
- The US has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea as part of a long-standing military alliance.
- President Trump is reportedly seeking a new meeting with Kim Jong Un in the near future to improve ties.
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