South Korea Shortens US‑South Korea War‑Games by Six Days at Washington’s Request
· World · BBC News, The Hindu, Euronews
South Korea will end the 2026 Ulchi Freedom Shield joint exercise with the United States on August 21 instead of August 27 after a Washington‑requested adjustment. The defence ministry said the exercise period and scale were altered because of a “proposal of the US side.” A field‑training component will be partially reduced, but the exact details remain under discussion. The change follows former President Donald Trump’s announcement to curb joint exercises with South Korea, and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said that U.S. and Korean officials were not aware of Trump’s plans. The exercise normally involves about 18,000 South Korean soldiers and 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the country.
Why it matters
The six‑day shortening and partial reduction in field training may limit the readiness and coordination of the 18,000 South Korean and 28,500 U.S. troops, signalling a shift in the U.S‑South Korea defence partnership after Trump’s rhetoric on North Korea.
Read the original report — BBC News
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