S. Korea, US halve UFS exercise after Trump calls for reduction

South Korea and the United States have agreed to halve the duration of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise at Washington's request, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced Wednesday. The allies decided to end this year's UFS exercise on Friday, shortening the drill to Aug. 17-21 from the originally planned Aug. 17-27 schedule, according to the JCS. The exercise kicked off Monday as initially planned. This is the first time a major combined exercise has been abruptly adjusted after getting u