South Korea says joint drills are on despite Trump objections

International relationsUS president's move to cut back exercises seen as pressuring Seoul on tradeU.S. soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division and South Korean soldiers participate in a river crossing exercise as part of last year's Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise in Yeoju-gun, South Korea. © Getty ImagesKIM JAEWONAugust 17, 2026 15:42 JSTSEOUL -- South Korea has given a guarded response to President Donald Trump's decision to scale back joint military exercises, a move analysts are interpreting as putting more pressure on the Lee Jae Myung government to offer further trade concessions.