S. Korea-US combined exercise to conclude ahead of schedule after Trump order

South Korea and the United States were set to wrap up their key military exercise Friday, nearly a week ahead of its original schedule after US President Donald Trump ordered a significant reduction in a move widely seen as a conciliatory gesture toward North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise has been cut short from 11 days to five, following Trump's directive to scale back drills that he said could send an "inappropriate and hostile" message to Pyongyang. Trump also c