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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Raphael Rashid in Seoul

Trump orders cuts to South Korea joint drills despite warnings about Kim regime

Soldiers conduct an artillery drill
A North Korean artillery drill carried out for Kim Jong-un in May 2025. Photograph: KCNA/Reuters

Donald Trump has said he is scaling back joint US military drills with South Korea aimed at deterring North Korea, despite military officials from both countries warning that Kim Jong-un’s regime is learning new battlefield tactics from the Ukraine war.

The drills under Ulchi Freedom Shield, one of two main annual exercises held by South Korea and the US, start on Monday and run until 27 August.

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