US-South Korea drill cut, North Korea missiles

The United States and South Korea ended their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise six days early on Friday, after President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce the drill just before it began. Trump cited his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's refusal to support him over the war in Iran. The exercise, initially scheduled for 11 days in two phases, was cut short, and the number of joint field training exercises was halved from 14. North Korea dismissed the gesture, with Kim Yo Jong stating that reducing the duration and size would not change the drills' provocative nature. The next day, North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, following through on its threat to respond to the drills. The United States — United States Indo-Pacific Command said the launches posed no immediate threat to U.S. territory or allies. Kim Yo Jong's statement dampened hopes for an early resumption of talks between Trump and Kim Jong Un, whose nuclear diplomacy collapsed in 2019. North Korea has modernized its nuclear and missile arsenals and aligned with Russia over its war against Ukraine, gaining leverage. Analysts suggest North Korea may seek further concessions from Washington after the U.S. midterm elections.