# South Korean military says joint exercise with US to end earlier

https://mins.news/en/item/25676

- CGTN, 2026-08-19 01:30 UTC
- World
- Original: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-19/S-Korean-military-says-joint-exercise-with-US-to-end-earlier-1PJeu48dZJe/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&UTM_Medium=rss&UTM_Campaign=World

> South Korea’s military says the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise with the United States will end on Friday, about a week ahead of schedule. After emergency consultations, the allies will conduct only the defensive phase, while the planned counteroffensive training will be rearranged later. The cutback has raised concerns about the planned transfer of wartime operational control to South Korea.

## Stories

- [US–North Korea Relations and North Korea Policy](https://mins.news/en/topic/us-north-korea-relations) — Markdown: https://mins.news/en/topic/us-north-korea-relations.md

## Related coverage

- [Duration halved for US-South Korea drills after Trump ordered reduction](https://mins.news/en/video/26179) — CNA, 2026-08-19
- [Seoul says it received no prior notice over US-South Korea drill cuts](https://mins.news/en/item/26864) — CGTN, 2026-08-19
- [Seoul, Washington to conclude drills ahead of schedule on Aug. 21 — Joint Chiefs of Staff](https://mins.news/en/item/25735) — TASS, 2026-08-19
- [South Korea to end US war games six days early at Washington’s request](https://mins.news/en/item/25717) — BBC News, 2026-08-19