U.S.–South Korea Drills End Six Days Early as North Korea Dismisses Scaled-Back Exercise

The United States and South Korea ended the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on August 21 after five days, six days earlier than planned. The allies cancelled its second, counteroffensive phase and reduced associated field training after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the drill scaled back. North Korea said the shorter exercise remained provocative and would not change its refusal to return to talks; it fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea the day before the drill ended.