US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to 'substantially reduce' joint military exercises with South Korea, just as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills began on Monday, 17 August 2026. Trump cited the cost of the exercises and his 'very good relationship' with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The exercises are not a new arrangement. Their modern lineage stretches back to the post-Korean War period, with the US and South Korea repeatedly adapting the drills as the security environment changed. The current Ulchi Freedom Shield format was introduced in 2022, combining military training with a wider government readiness exercise.
