South Korea says the South Korean and US militaries have agreed to shorten their drills
Aug 18, 2026, 5:53 PM | Updated: Aug 19, 2026, 6:32 pm
U.S. Army's soldiers conduct a training exercise on a river in Yeoncheon, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Credit: AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon
(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea said Wednesday the South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their drills at the U.S.’s request.
South Korea’s military said in a statement the ongoing drills with the U.S. would end Friday, not Aug. 27 as initially planned. It said the allies also agreed to downsize some joint field training exercises.
U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered cuts to the drills just before they began Monday.
Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran.
