Overview
- U.S. Forces Korea said Gen. Xavier Brunson told Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back that Seoul had been notified of last week’s Yellow Sea drill and that he expressed regret top officials were briefed late.
- Local outlets reported Brunson apologized, but USFK publicly rejected that characterization, stating it does not make apologies for maintaining readiness.
- Roughly 10 U.S. F-16s trained near the area between South Korean and Chinese air-defense identification zones, prompting Chinese fighters to scramble, according to South Korean media; no clash occurred and U.S. commands have not confirmed the encounter.
- The U.S. ended the training earlier than planned after the episode, and Ahn lodged a formal complaint over insufficient advance sharing of details.
- Alliance consultations continue as the partners set the Freedom Shield exercise for March 9–19 with associated Warrior Shield field drills, which officials describe as major defensive training.