US and South Korea Scale Back Joint Military Drills Following Trump Order

US Army soldiers take part in a US-South Korea joint river-crossing exercise in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on March 14, 2026. South Korea and the United States have shortened the duration of their joint military drills and scaled back field training exercises following an order from US President Donald Trump for a “substantial reduction” in the annual war games.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which began on August 17, has been cut from 11 days to five and will now conclude on August 21, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced on Tuesday. The adjustment was agreed upon at Washington’s suggestion, according to the JCS, which also noted that combined field manoeuvre training would be reduced.

South Korean media reported that Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated the allies were moving to cancel the second phase of the drills, which was originally expected to involve counterattack operations following an initial defensive phase. A US Department of Defense official informed the Reuters news agency that the department substantially reduced the exercise and associated live-training events, with some sessions cancelled or transitioned to simulations. The official added that these changes would preserve essential readiness and training aims without degrading US training objectives.

The modifications follow an order issued by US President Donald Trump on Sunday to decrease the US role in the drills, citing his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. US President Donald Trump also linked the decision to Seoul’s refusal to participate in the US and Israel’s war on Iran.

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated during a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday that neither South Korean nor US officials had received advance notice regarding the directive to scale back the exercises. When asked by a lawmaker if Seoul had been informed of the plans, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed that government officials from both nations were unaware beforehand. He further suggested that the message from US President Donald Trump appeared intended to pressure Seoul into joining the war on Iran.

North Korea, which possesses nuclear weapons, has long condemned the US-South Korea exercises as preparations for an invasion. On Wednesday, North Korea again denounced the drills, declaring it would continue exercising its right to self-defence against military threats from Washington and Seoul. Seoul’s presidential office had previously maintained on Tuesday that the exercises carried no intention to attack North Korea or heighten tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had responded to his outreach, though he did not reveal the specifics of the contact. He maintained that his ties with the North Korean leader are making the situation safer. The two leaders met three times during the first term of US President Donald Trump in the White House, but have not held talks during his second term.

The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump has pressed aides to arrange an in-person meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as early as autumn. Citing US officials, the publication noted that US President Donald Trump discussed potential talks during a possible November trip to Asia for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China.

The United States stations approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea to support the nation's defences, a remnant of the 1950-53 Korean War that concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. However, repeated criticism of traditional alliances by US President Donald Trump has introduced uncertainty regarding US security commitments in East Asia, causing concern among regional allies.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi emphasized the significance of security cooperation with the United States and South Korea during a statement on Tuesday. Speaking to journalists in Australia, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi noted that regional cooperation is critical for peace and stability as Japan confronts a severe security environment. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, when asked about the comments, stated that Australia remains very concerned about the nuclear and missile programmes of North Korea, describing North Korea as the source of many regional challenges.