Seoul, Washington to halve joint drills as Trump reportedly seeks summit with North Korea's Kim
Seoul, Washington to halve joint drills as Trump reportedly seeks summit with North Korea's Kim
TL;DR
- South Korea's military will reduce its annual joint military exercise with the U.S. by about half.
- The decision was reportedly influenced by President Trump's push for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as soon as this fall.
- The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise period will be shortened from its original conclusion date.
- Some combined field training exercises will also be scaled back, with details still being discussed.
- This development follows Trump's order to significantly reduce the joint military drills.
- Analysts suggest allies may respond by bolstering their own military capacity and forming new partnerships.
- A reduced U.S. footprint in Asia could offer benefits to Washington, such as lower defense burdens and reduced risk of major war.