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The deterrence calculus on the Korean Peninsula runs through a specific mechanism: joint exercises that translate treaty commitments into demonstrated operational readiness.
President Donald Trump on Sunday directed the Pentagon to scale back the Ulchi Freedom Shield, an 11-day annual drill scheduled to begin Monday.
Roughly 18,000 South Korean troops were set to train this year alongside the approximately 28,500 U.S. service members permanently stationed on the peninsula under U.S.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said he was "not happy" with the longstanding arrangement, citing the cost to the United States and arguing the exercises send "a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" toward North Korea.
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