U.S. and South Korea to nearly halve joint military drills after Trump criticism
The move appears aimed at luring North Korean leader Kim Jong Un back to talks, years after denuclearization negotiations with Washington collapsed.
The U.S. and South Korea have agreed to significantly reduce a major annual joint military exercise, following President Donald Trump's call for a substantial decrease in the drills. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which began this week, will conclude one week earlier than originally planned, on August 21. According to a U.S. Defense Department official, live-training events have been reduced, with some events canceled or converted into simulations.
This decision comes after Trump directed both the President and Secretary of Defense to scale down the exercises, aiming to enhance tactical capability while reducing military tensions.
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- Trump’s South Korea move creates more headaches for Takaichi japantimes.co.jp
