Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Trump announces cut to US-South Korea military drills
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said he wants to make the big military practice that America does with South Korea smaller.
He is upset because South Korea did not help America with something about Iran.
South Korea said the practice would still happen on Monday anyway.
The practice is called the Ulchi Freedom drills, and it helps South Korea get ready to defend itself.
North Korea does not like the practice and said it makes things more tense.
Trump said North Korea has been nice to him.
South Korea is trying to make Trump happy by promising to spend a lot of money in America.
The two Koreas have been in a kind of war since 1953, so these drills are very important.
Many soldiers from both America and South Korea take part in the practice every year.
US President Donald Trump announced the US would reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing South Korea's lack of participation in the 'Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran.'
South Korea's joint chiefs of staff told Reuters that the Ulchi Freedom drills started on Monday as scheduled.
Trump called North Korea 'unthreatening and respectful,' while North Korea condemned the exercise as a provocation heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
The annual Ulchi Freedom drills, held since 1976, involve about 18,000 South Korean troops and 28,500 US forces this year.
South Korea committed $350 billion in investments in the US in an effort to appease Trump.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, South Korea, and North Korea
- What
- Trump announced the US would reduce joint military exercises with South Korea over Iran, while South Korea said the drills started as scheduled.
- When
- Sunday for the announcement; the drills began Monday as scheduled
- Where
- United States and South Korea (Korean Peninsula)
- Why
- Trump cited South Korea's lack of participation in the 'Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran' and his disappointment over allies' support in the US war with Iran.
Supporters of continued drills
Critics of the drills
Military drills with South Korea
Supporters of continued drills
South Korea's joint chiefs of staff say the drills started Monday as scheduled, treating them as essential for defending against North Korea.
Critics of the drills
Trump wants to reduce the drills, saying South Korea is not participating in the 'Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran' and that the US is not getting enough for its defence support.
North Korea's stance
Supporters of continued drills
North Korea condemns the exercise as a provocation that heightens tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Critics of the drills
Trump says North Korea has been 'unthreatening and respectful' to him.
Burden sharing
Supporters of continued drills
South Korea has attempted to appease Trump by committing $350 billion in investments in the US.
Critics of the drills
Trump has repeatedly objected to perceived heavy US military spending in South Korea and the size of US troops on the peninsula.
- US President
- Donald Trump
- Announcement
- Reduction of joint US-South Korea military exercises
- Stated reason
- South Korea not participating in the 'Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran'
- Exercise
- Ulchi Freedom drills (renamed Ulchi Freedom Shield in 2022)
- Schedule
- Annually August-September since 1976, except 2018
- Troops involved
- About 18,000 South Korean and 28,500 US forces
- South Korean investment
- $350 billion in the US
- North Korea response
- Condemned exercise as a provocation heightening tensions