Joint exercises with South Korea shortened by about half after Trump order

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Today's Top Stories - August 19, 2026

Today's Top Stories - August 19, 2026

The Pentagon and South Korean military on Wednesday confirmed major joint exercises between the two would be cut in half after President Trump ordered the reduction over the weekend.

The exercise, which began on Monday and is known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, will end on Aug. 21 rather than the original date of Aug. 27, a Defense Department official said in a statement to The Hill.

While the U.S. military was “continuing training that enhances tactical capability,”  live-training events have been reduced, “with certain events canceled or converted to........

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