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US and South Korea to curtail Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills FAST-MOVING
The United States and South Korea have agreed to curtail the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) military exercises. Originally scheduled to run until August 27, the drills will now conclude on August 21.
The decision follows a request from U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticized the maneuvers as “inappropriate and hostile” toward North Korea. Trump cited his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea’s lack of support regarding U.S. military operations in Iran as reasons for the reduction.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the period and scale of the exercises have been adjusted. While certain field training components will be partially reduced, the Pentagon has stated that the changes will not compromise U.S. military readiness or essential training objectives.
North Korea has condemned the exercises, labeling them a “most immediate and open threat” to regional security. The move comes amid reports that the Trump administration is seeking renewed engagement and a potential meeting with Kim Jong-un during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.
Entities
Donald Trump · Kim Jong-un · North Korea · South Korea · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Combined Forces Headquarters is operating from the CP Tango bunker and Camp Humphreys. actualidad.rt.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] President Donald Trump requested the reduction of joint maneuvers, citing the cost and his relationship with Kim Jong-un. actualidad.rt.com · www.ceskenoviny.cz · www.letemps.ch · www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.bbc.co.uk · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The annual military exercises were initially scheduled to last ten days. actualidad.rt.com · www.ceskenoviny.cz · www.letemps.ch
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The scope of certain field training exercises will be reduced. actualidad.rt.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The reduction in exercise duration will not affect US military readiness or training objectives. www.ceskenoviny.cz · www.letemps.ch
- [● 5 SOURCES] The US and South Korea will conclude the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises on August 21. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.bbc.co.uk · thefrontierpost.com · www.ceskenoviny.cz · www.letemps.ch
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Donald Trump criticized South Korea for not supporting US military operations in Iran. www.bbc.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The scale of certain field training exercises within the drills will be partially reduced. actualidad.rt.com · www.bbc.co.uk · www.ceskenoviny.cz
- [● 3 SOURCES] North Korea criticized the military drills as an immediate threat to regional security. www.businesstimes.com.sg · thefrontierpost.com · www.ceskenoviny.cz