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The United States and South Korea have shortened their annual joint military exercise by six days following an order from President Donald Trump, amid his renewed push for engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday that the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise would end on Friday, August 21, at Washington’s request. The drills began on Monday.
The exercise’s outdoor live-field training has also been partially scaled back. Trump said Sunday that he had a “very good relationship” with Kim and argued that the costly military drills sent an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told parliament that Seoul was caught off guard by Trump’s decision and had not been informed in advance.
Local media reported that the exercise was being shortened because a simulation of a counterattack against North Korea had been scrapped entirely.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had instructed officials to explore plans for a direct meeting with Kim as early as this autumn. The two leaders could meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China in November.
Trump’s latest move has also prompted Seoul to renew calls for greater military self-reliance amid concerns over Washington’s approach to joint defence arrangements.