Koreas US Military Drills

Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, left, leaves the Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

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Drills cut by Trump are central to the US-South Korea alliance, observers say

Drills cut by Trump are central to the US-South Korea alliance, observers say

The United States and South Korea have regularly conducted military drills to prepare for potential conflicts with North Korea. This year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, a key part of their alliance, could be disrupted. U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a substantial scale-back, citing a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The exercise, which started Monday, is a largely computer-simulated command post exercise to address regional security threats. Experts warn that Trump’s decision could weaken U.S.-South Korean readiness and strain their alliance. The exercise is central to their partnership, but North Korea views it as a war rehearsal.