US Cancels Major Military Exercise With South Korea

The United States has canceled a major joint military exercise with South Korea scheduled for next month because of limited troop availability due to the war with Iran, the South Korean Marine Corps said on Monday.

The US Marine Corps had informed its South Korean counterpart in June that it would not have sufficient forces available for the Ssangyong exercise. According to Seoul, the two countries are continuing discussions on when to resume the drills.

The cancellation comes shortly after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly ordered a significant reduction in the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. Trump cited their cost and South Korea’s refusal to participate in the war with Iran. He also described the exercises as sending an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea.

Despite the reduction, North Korea fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles last week and condemned the joint exercises. Pyongyang has long portrayed US-South Korean military drills as preparations for an invasion.

(Reuters, est)