US, South Korea Militaries Wrap Up Drills Early

August 21, 2026 5:02 am

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.S. and South Korean militaries are wrapping their annual drills six days earlier than initially scheduled in a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea. The end of the drills set for Friday comes after North Korea said such a step isn’t enough to convince it to return to talks. U.S. President Donald Trump earlier abruptly ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises just before they began Monday. Trump cited what he described as a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to support him over the war in Iran.