Trump Shifts U.S.-South Korea Drills | Bend News

Bend News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 17, 2026 · 1m

Trump shocks allies by ordering a major cutback in U.S.-South Korea joint drills, claiming his warm ties with Kim Jong Un make the exercises unnecessary and provocative — despite North Korea’s past threats and ongoing missile tests. While Seoul says Ulchi Freedom Shield will go ahead, the move signals a dramatic pivot from Trump’s early presidency’s fiery rhetoric, as denuclearization stalled and Pyongyang deepens its alliance with Russia. South Korea hopes diplomacy can prevail, while Washington remains vigilant on both the Korean Peninsula and Iran. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a…