South Korea’s push to regain wartime control of its military has been thrown into doubt after the United States abruptly cut short a major joint exercise, scrapping plans for a simulated counteroffensive into North Korean territory and encirclement of Pyongyang.
Defence analysts warn scaling back the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise could weaken the allies’ deterrence posture at a sensitive moment, even as Seoul seeks greater self-reliance in managing security on the Korean peninsula.
US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon on Monday to “substantially reduce” the “costly” drills, describing them as a “totally inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea while citing his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The allies had initially planned for the UFS exercise, which began on Monday, to run until August 27. The second phase was reportedly set to include a simulated counteroffensive against North Korea, including the encirclement of its capital.
But the exercise will now end on Friday – marking the first time a theatre-level US-South Korea exercise has been cut short or scaled back while already under way.