The joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea were halved at Washington’s request, days after President Donald Trump asked to reduce their duration, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Read more “Penal shield”: Death of Moroccan during police detention opens debate on Italian security law
According to CNN, the annual exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) began this Monday and was originally scheduled to last 10 days. However, the armed forces of both countries reported that the maneuvers will end on Friday, August 21.
“Following the instructions of the President and the Secretary of War, the Department has substantially reduced the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, while continuing with training that improves tactical capability,” a Pentagon official told CNN.
The source explained that the changes will also affect the format of some of the scheduled activities.
“In-person training events associated with it have been reduced, and some have been canceled or turned into simulations. These adjustments preserve the essential readiness and training objectives,” said the official, who emphasized that “there will be no reduction in the United States’ training objectives.”
For its part, the South Korean Army confirmed that the decision to “partially adjust the period and size of the exercise” was made “at the request of the United States.”
Read more U.S. imposes sanctions on the ICC president and a lawyer in another move against the court
The modification comes after Trump said on Sunday that he had asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reduce the joint military exercises.
The president justified his request on his “very good relationship” with Kim Jong Un and argued that the maneuvers sent a “completely inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea.
Trump also mentioned among his arguments South Korea’s lack of cooperation in the war against Iran.
Thus, the exercise that was initially supposed to last 10 days will conclude this Friday, although the Pentagon assured that the adjustments will not imply a reduction in U.S. training objectives.
Read more The Premonition of Federico García Lorca’s Death Revealed by Pablo Neruda
