U.S.Reported

U.S., South Korea cut short their joint military drills at Trump's direction

August 18, 2026 / 10:26 PM EDT / CBS/AP The South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their drills at the United States' request , officials for both nations acknowledged Wednesday, days after President Trump ordered cuts to the exercises. The allies' summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday morning for an 11-day run, just after Mr. Trump ordered they be scaled back. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran . A Defense Department official told CBS News in a statement Tuesday evening that, at the direction of Mr.

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Scoop News DeskU.S · Published Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 2:26 AM UTCUpdated Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 11:58 AM UTC

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Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the joint drills had been "substantially reduced" and would end Friday, one week earlier than had been originally scheduled. "Associated live-training events have been reduced, with certain events canceled or converted to simulations," the official said. "These adjustments preserve essential readiness and training objectives.

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Version 2unpublished
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 3:05 AM UTC
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Version 3published
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 7:40 AM UTC
August 18, 2026 / 10:26 PM EDT / CBS/AP The South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their drills at the United States' request , officials for both nations acknowledged Wednesday, days after President Trump ordered cuts to the exercises. The allies' summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday morning for an 11-day run, just after Mr. Trump ordered they be scaled back. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran . A Defense Department official told CBS News in a statement Tuesday evening that, at the direction of Mr.
Version 4unpublished
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 7:55 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 5published
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 10:05 AM UTC
August 18, 2026 / 10:26 PM EDT / CBS/AP The South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their drills at the United States' request , officials for both nations acknowledged Wednesday, days after President Trump ordered cuts to the exercises. The allies' summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday morning for an 11-day run, just after Mr. Trump ordered they be scaled back. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran . A Defense Department official told CBS News in a statement Tuesday evening that, at the direction of Mr.
Version 6unpublished
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 10:20 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 7published
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 10:54 AM UTC
August 18, 2026 / 10:26 PM EDT / CBS/AP The South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their drills at the United States' request , officials for both nations acknowledged Wednesday, days after President Trump ordered cuts to the exercises. The allies' summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday morning for an 11-day run, just after Mr. Trump ordered they be scaled back. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran . A Defense Department official told CBS News in a statement Tuesday evening that, at the direction of Mr.
Version 8unpublished
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 11:09 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 9published
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 11:26 AM UTC
August 18, 2026 / 10:26 PM EDT / CBS/AP The South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their drills at the United States' request , officials for both nations acknowledged Wednesday, days after President Trump ordered cuts to the exercises. The allies' summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday morning for an 11-day run, just after Mr. Trump ordered they be scaled back. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran . A Defense Department official told CBS News in a statement Tuesday evening that, at the direction of Mr.
Version 10unpublished
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 11:42 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 11published
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 11:43 AM UTC
August 18, 2026 / 10:26 PM EDT / CBS/AP The South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their drills at the United States' request , officials for both nations acknowledged Wednesday, days after President Trump ordered cuts to the exercises. The allies' summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began Monday morning for an 11-day run, just after Mr. Trump ordered they be scaled back. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran . A Defense Department official told CBS News in a statement Tuesday evening that, at the direction of Mr.
Version 12unpublished
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 11:58 AM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy