Archive · 19 Aug 2026
North Korea Condemns US-South Korea Drills Despite Trump Scale-Back
The United States and South Korea are holding a military exercise called Ulchi Freedom Shield.
North Korea says the exercise is a serious threat and resembles preparation for an invasion.
It says the drills could make tensions worse in the Korean Peninsula and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
North Korea also said it would defend itself against what it considers military threats.
The exercise started on Monday as planned.
President Donald Trump had ordered the Pentagon to reduce U.S. participation in the drills.
South Korea and the United States say the exercise is defensive and helps them stay prepared.
North Korea’s statement did not say exactly what action it might take.
The statement also did not mention Trump’s decision or his reported outreach to Kim Jong Un.
North Korea called the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise an “open” and immediate threat to its security.
Pyongyang accused the United States and South Korea of raising tensions and rehearsing an invasion.
North Korea said it would continue exercising its right to self-defence against perceived military threats.
The drills began as scheduled on Monday after President Donald Trump ordered substantially reduced U.S. participation.
Washington and Seoul describe the exercises as defensive and necessary for readiness, while KCNA did not specify North Korea’s next measures.
- Who
- North Korea, the United States and South Korea; the criticism was issued through North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency.
- What
- North Korea condemned the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise and said it would exercise its right to self-defence.
- When
- The criticism was reported on Wednesday, August 19, 2026; the 11-day drills began on Monday.
- Where
- The exercise is taking place in South Korea and affects security on the Korean Peninsula and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
- Why
- North Korea considers the drills hostile military threats and invasion rehearsals, while the United States and South Korea say they are defensive and needed for military readiness.
North Korea’s View
U.S.-South Korea View
Purpose of the drills
North Korea’s View
North Korea calls the exercises hostile and says they are rehearsals for an invasion.
U.S.-South Korea View
The United States and South Korea describe the exercises as defensive and intended to maintain readiness against potential North Korean threats.
Effect on regional security
North Korea’s View
Pyongyang says the allies’ actions raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula and across the wider Asia-Pacific region.
U.S.-South Korea View
Washington and Seoul say the drills strengthen their ability to respond to a potential North Korean attack.
Response to perceived threats
North Korea’s View
North Korea says it will continue exercising its right to self-defence against military threats from the allies.
U.S.-South Korea View
The allies maintain that joint exercises are necessary because of North Korea’s military threats.
- Exercise
- Ulchi Freedom Shield
- Duration
- 11 days
- North Korea’s description
- The “most immediate and open threat” to its security and regional security
- U.S. participation
- President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce U.S. participation
- Exercise status
- The drills began as scheduled on Monday
- Reported planning discussion
- U.S. Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson reportedly visited South Korea’s Defence Ministry to discuss scaling back the exercise
- North Korea’s response
- Pyongyang said it would exercise its right to self-defence but did not specify its measures
Sources
North Korea condemns US-South Korea drills despite Trump order to scale back
'Most immediate threat': North Korea blasts US-South Korea drills despite Trump's surprise cut
'Open Threat': North Korea Slams US-South Korea Drills Despite Trump Order To Scale Back