Overview
- President Donald Trump ordered a substantial, last‑minute cut in U.S. participation in the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises as an overture toward North Korea.
- The United States and South Korea agreed to shorten the drills and formally wrapped them up early, with Seoul saying the exercises concluded on Friday.
- North Korea rejected the gesture and fired about 10 short‑range ballistic missiles into the sea on Thursday after Kim Yo Jong dismissed the cutback as insufficient.
- U.S. Pacific Command said it was aware of the launches, assessed they posed no immediate threat to U.S. forces or territory, and reaffirmed America’s commitment to defend its allies.
- Experts and U.S. Democrats warned the unilateral reduction has damaged alliance coordination and readiness, Seoul publicly welcomed the move as a step toward dialogue, and analysts say Washington and Seoul must repair relations before productive talks with Pyongyang can proceed.