US and South Korea cut drills short after Trump criticism
- Posted on August 19, 2026
- By Le Monde
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
Following direct intervention from the White House, Washington and Seoul have decided to shorten their joint military exercises by approximately seven days. The Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which serve as a critical deterrent mechanism against potential North Korean aggression, will conclude earlier than originally scheduled. This decision reflects the Trump administration's diplomatic overtures toward Pyongyang and signals a shift in military posture on the Korean Peninsula.
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US and South Korea cut drills short after Trump criticism
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, designed to prepare for a possible attack by North Korea, will end around a week earlier than planned, both countries announced on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had told the Pentagon to curtail the exercises citing his 'good relationship' with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
