South Korea shortens war games with US citing Washington request

South Korea said that the "period and scale" of the 2026 Ulchi Freedom Shield workout had been adjusted owed to a "proposal of the US side", shortening the exercise by six days at Washington’s request. The drill will now begin on 21 August instead of the previously planned 27 August. The change follows President Donald Trump’s announcement that he intends to curtail joint exercises with South Korea, citing what he described as a “very good” relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun informed parliament that neither Seoul nor Washington officials had received advance notice of Trump’s plans.