US, South Korea Cut Short Joint Drills After Trump Criticism The joint military exercises between the US and South Korea have been truncated, a decision sparked by President Donald Trump's assertion that they are "inappropriate and hostile" towards North Korea.
This sudden shift in strategy has left many scratching their heads. On one hand, it's difficult to argue with Trump's assessment of the cost and symbolism of these exercises.
The Ulchi Freedom Shield drills have been a staple of US South Korean military cooperation for years, but they do indeed come at a significant expense – both financially and in terms of regional tensions.