US cancels joint marine drills with South Korea over Iran war-related force constraints

The United States has canceled a planned joint military drill with South Korea, citing constraints on US forces due to the ongoing war in Iran. The US Marine Corps formally informed its South Korean counterpart in June that force availability would be limited for the division-level exercise, known as Ssangyong. Seoul's Marine Corps spokesperson confirmed this during a press briefing, stating that the allies are still in close consultations to resume the drills.

However, the cancellation marks a setback in military cooperation between the two nations. The US State Department also disclosed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had discussed various issues with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, reaffirming the importance of maintaining close coordination in their alliance. The decision to cancel the amphibious landing drill comes after President Donald Trump's surprise order to reduce a separate joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield, citing cost and Seoul's refusal to participate in the Iran war.

Trump also criticized the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, claiming they sent a hostile message to North Korea, which has long viewed such exercises as rehearsals for invasion.