US and South Korea halve Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise after Trump order

The Pentagon and the Republic of Korea’s armed forces confirmed on Wednesday that the two‑nation Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will be shortened in response to a directive from President Donald Trump. The drill, which began on Monday, is a large‑scale joint training operation that typically runs for a full week.

Under the new schedule, the exercise will now conclude on August 21, six days earlier than the originally planned August 27 finish date. A Defense Department statement said the decision to cut the duration was made to reduce the overall scope of the exercise, in line with the President’s request.

Both sides will adjust their plans accordingly, with the shortened timeline expected to affect the number of maneuvers and the duration of combat simulations conducted during the drill.