US truncates joint South Korea drills, prompting alliance doubts

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise involving about 18,000 South Korean troops and forces from 11 U.S. allies was halted on Friday after only half of the planned activities were completed. President Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" the drill, describing it as "inappropriate and hostile" toward North Korea and financially burdensome for the United States. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said the decision was presented as a mutual agreement, though officials were not forewarned of the scale-down.

South Korean analysts said the abrupt move undermines confidence in the U.S. alliance, with some fearing further reductions in the 27,000-strong U.S. troop presence or a shift away from policies aimed at denuclearising the North. The decision coincides with heightened regional tensions: North Korea launched ballistic missiles toward Japan in the days preceding the drill and reiterated its right to use nuclear weapons if threatened.

Trade disputes have also entered the security arena. The Trump administration has criticized South Korea for what it views as insufficient financial contributions to host U.S. forces and for lagging on a $350 billion investment pledge, prompting some commentators to suggest Seoul should diversify its security partnerships.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung praised the U.S. president’s action on social media, calling it a "bold decision" aimed at peace, and pledged to increase defence spending while affirming South Korea’s responsibility for its own security.

North Korean officials dismissed the drill reduction as irrelevant to their interests, maintaining that their nuclear arsenal remains essential for regional stability. Experts noted that without a U.S. willingness to recognise North Korea as a nuclear state, further high-level talks appear unlikely, even as Beijing and Moscow continue to support Pyongyang.