US, South Korea Trim Military Exercises After Trump Orders Scale-Back

South Korea and the United States have shortened their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise and reduced some field training. These changes were made at the suggestion of the United States following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to scale back joint drills. The exercise, which began on August 17, will now conclude on August 21 instead of August 27.

• South Korea and the US have shortened their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) military exercise.
• The exercise will now run from August 17 to August 21, instead of the originally planned end date of August 27.
• Some field training will also be reduced.
• The changes were made following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to scale back joint drills.
• The decision was announced by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and was made at the suggestion of the United States.