US cancels another military exercise with South Korea

The United States has canceled another military exercise with South Korea, the Seoul Marine Corps said on August 24.

Washington cited the war in Iran as limiting the ability to deploy American troops for the exercise, known as Sangyong, as the reason for the cancellation of the joint naval exercise, which was scheduled for September. The U.S. Marine Corps officially informed South Korean officials in June that it would not have enough troops for the exercise, known as Sangyong.

The two allies are continuing talks to resume the military exercises at a later date. However, a South Korean Marine Corps spokesman did not provide specific measures to compensate for the cancellation.

U.S. President Donald Trump last week ordered the cancellation of another annual joint exercise several days earlier than planned. Trump cited the cost and Seoul’s unwillingness to participate in a war in Iran.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises sent the wrong and hostile signal to North Korea. He noted that North Korea had been non-threatening and respectful during his presidency.

However, shortly after Trump scaled back the exercises, Pyongyang launched 10 short-range ballistic missiles and issued a statement condemning the annual drills. North Korea regularly calls such joint exercises invasion drills.