President Trump reduces U.S.-South Korean military drills to improve relations with North Korea

The administration announced the conclusion of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise six days earlier than scheduled, following a directive from President Trump to substantially reduce the joint drills. The move was intended as a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea, though the North Korean leadership responded with skepticism. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, noted that the reduction in size and duration does not change the

Sources

• AP News
  US, South Korean militaries wrap up drill early, a day after North Korea’s missile barrage
• The Economist
  Donald Trump abruptly scales back an exercise with South Korea
• PBS
  U.S.-South Korea military drill wraps up early, a day after North Korea's missile barrage
• CNBC
  Trump scaling down U.S.-South Korea drills could risk more than just joint military readiness
• The Atlantic
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