politics
US-led drills to end six days early, South Korea says, amid Trump push for Kim Jong-un talks
South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff said the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise would end on 21 August at the request of the US
TL;DR
- Joint military drills between South Korea and the US, Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), will end six days earlier than planned.
- The decision to shorten the drills was made at the request of the US.
- President Donald Trump cited his relationship with Kim Jong-un and the cost of the exercises as reasons for his dissatisfaction.
- South Korean officials were reportedly not informed of Trump's directive in advance.
- Further reductions to joint field training exercises are also expected.
- Trump is reportedly pushing for another meeting with Kim Jong-un, potentially as early as the autumn.