South Korea and the U.S. are shortening the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise by nearly half following a request from President Donald Trump, who cited costs and the need to avoid hostile signals to North Korea during ongoing diplomatic efforts.
South Korea and the US are shortening their annual joint military exercises, ending them on August 21 instead of August 27. The move follows US President Donald Trump's criticism of the drills as 'hostile' toward North Korea and his desire to reduce costs.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stressed the importance of the US-South Korea alliance after Donald Trump ordered a reduction in joint military exercises. The move, made without prior consultation, has sparked public anxiety and concerns over regional security.
South Korea's defense ministry announced that the 2026 Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills with the US will be cut short by six days. President Trump requested the reduction, citing the cost of exercises and South Korea's refusal to assist with operations in Iran.
South Korea's military will cut the duration of the joint Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise by half following a U.S. proposal. The move comes as President Trump reportedly seeks a new summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, signaling a shift in regional alliance dynamics.
President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, citing high costs, a desire to maintain positive relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and South Korea's refusal to help with Iran denuclearization.
President Trump has ordered a reduction in US involvement in the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises with South Korea, citing costs and a desire to signal openness to North Korea, despite concerns from experts and politicians regarding alliance stability.
President Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back the 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with Kim Jong-un and Seoul's refusal to join US military operations against Iran.
The US President has ordered a substantial reduction of troops in South Korea, citing cost concerns, a gesture toward North Korea, and Seoul's refusal to support US efforts regarding Iran. The move sparks regional security concerns ahead of a visit by China's Wang.
President Trump has ordered a reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the ally's refusal to join his stance on Iran. The move has sparked concerns among experts and lawmakers regarding the stability of U.S. security commitments in Asia.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung renewed his push to regain wartime military control from the US and urged faster progress on nuclear submarines, following US President Donald Trump's order to reduce joint military exercises.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung defended joint US-South Korea civil-defence exercises as defensive, urging stronger independent defence capabilities after US President Donald Trump called for reduced military drills.
South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Tuesday the country remains in close consultation with the U.S. over joint military exercises, following U.S. President Trump's order to reduce drills.
President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, citing Seoul's refusal to assist with the war against Iran and praising North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
President Donald Trump announced plans to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join US efforts regarding Iran.
South Korea and the US began annual joint military exercises, Ulchi Freedom Shield, shortly after President Donald Trump criticized the drills as costly and 'hostile' toward North Korea.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that he instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises, calling them costly and hostile toward North Korea.
US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, citing high costs, a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and South Korea's refusal to help denuclearise Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he instructed Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, calling them costly and hostile toward North Korea.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join US efforts regarding Iran.
US President Donald Trump ordered a substantial reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea, citing costs and inappropriate signaling to North Korea, which he described as "unthreatening and respectful". The move coincides with the scheduled start of the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills and follows North Korea's recent ballistic missile tests in protest of the exercises.
President Trump reduces US-South Korea joint military exercises, deeming them 'hostile' to North Korea, citing costs and a 'good relationship' with Kim Jong Un. Also reveals South Korea declined to join US in Iran denuclearization.
South Korea and the U.S. will conduct the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise from Aug 17-27 to bolster joint defense readiness against North Korea, amid preparations for Seoul's retaking of wartime command from Washington.
Taiwan's leader William Lai Ching-te rehearsed a late-night emergency evacuation in an armored vehicle during the Han Kuang military exercise, simulating a potential PLA decapitation strike.
