World · 19 August 2026
US-South Korea military drills cut short by six days
Joint military drills between the US and South Korea, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, will now end on Friday, six days earlier than planned. Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" the exercises on Sunday, citing his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. South Korea's foreign minister, Cho Hyun, said on Wednesday that Seoul was caught off guard by Trump's directive.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs