South Korea Holds Defense Drills as Trump Pulls Back on Military Exercises

South Korea conducted a civil defense drill at a hotel in Seoul on Wednesday (August 19) as part of the country’s annual Ulchi civil defense exercise. About 240 personnel from the military, police, fire department, and local government were mobilized in drills simulating multiple threats at a hotel — including bomb, ch

The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un aid no talks are scheduled between her brother and President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump had earlier abruptly ordered the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise just before it began Monday. Trump cited what he described as a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to support him over the war in Iran.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries wrapped up their annual drill six days earlier than initially scheduled on Friday in a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea, though the North said the step isn’t enough to persuade it to return to talks.

US, South Korean militaries wrap up drill early, a day after North Korea’s missile barrage  AP News

Joint military drills between South Korean and US troops ended Friday, nearly a week ahead of schedule. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise was cut short from 11 days to five after US President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized the drills as costly and hostile toward Pyongyang, citing his close relationship with N

On Thursday, North Korea fired ten short-range ballistic missiles into eastern waters, a provocative move following the United States' decision to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. The South Korean military enhanced its monitoring efforts and shared intelligence with its allies. Meanwhile, North Korea d

DefenseJakarta seeks to balance defense ties between Beijing and WashingtonIndonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, left, and his Chinese counterpart, Adm. Dong Jun, inspect an honor guard in Jakarta on Aug. 21. © ReutersISMI DAMAYANTIAugust 21, 2026 14:12 JSTJAKARTA -- Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjams

The U.S. and South Korean militaries are wrapping their annual drills six days earlier than initially scheduled in a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea

The defence force wasn't given a heads up that an exercise it's taking part in with allies was being significantly reduced - finding out through media reports.

Pyongyang has long condemned US-South Korea joint exercises as rehearsals for invasion, often staging missile launches around the drills.

The ballistic missile launch comes a day after US President Donald Trump said he would visit North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year.

North Korea fired 10 ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday evening, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The missiles were reportedly launched shortly after 5 p.m. local time, and originated from the “Pyongyang area.” The launches come amid a rise in tensions between North and South Korea as t

President Trump’s decision to curtail the military exercises came as allies question the U.S. commitment to longstanding alliances.

The move by Trump also will start to raise questions about the credibility of Washington's commitment to alliances.

Critics slammed the Trump administration over its surprise pull-back from the planned drills with South Korea, stressing that the move is yet another example of the US turning its back on its allies, hurting its credibility in the international arena.