Trump Orders Major Cutback in US-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercises

President Trump announced in a Truth Social post on Sunday, August 16, 2026 that he directed War Secretary Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises with South Korea, set to run August 17-27 with roughly 18,000 South Korean troops. Trump said the drills were too costly, sent an 'unnecessarily hostile' signal to North Korea given his 'unthreatening and respectful' relationship with Kim Jong Un, and cited South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's refusal to assist US operations against Iran when asked. South Korea's Defense Ministry initially said the drills would proceed as planned, before President Lee's office said Seoul and Washington would coordinate closely on details.