South Korea shortens war games with US citing Washington request
It comes after Trump announced plans to curtail joint exercises with South Korea, citing a "very good" relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.
South Korea will shave six days off its annual joint military exercises with the United States, citing a request from Washington, according to its defence ministry. The 2026 Ulchi Freedom Shield drill will conclude on August 21st, a week earlier than originally scheduled for August 27th. The decision comes after US President Donald Trump announced plans to shorten the exercises, lauding his "very good" relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun revealed that neither Seoul nor Washington were informed of Trump's plans in advance. The scale of the combined field training component of the drills will also be reduced, though specific details remain under negotiation. The announcement follows reports that Trump is lobbying his aides for a meeting with Kim Jong Un, potentially during a November visit to Asia for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Trump has publicly criticized the exercises as costly and inappropriate, linking his decision to South Korea's refusal to assist in the denuclearization of Iran.
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