South Korea, US Scale Back Military Drills as Trump Seeks New Meeting With Kim Jong Un

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, originally scheduled for August 17–27, would be shortened by nearly half, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Field training exercises, a key component of the drills, will also be reduced to some extent. Military officials from South Korea and the United States are still discussing the details, according to the JCS.

The announcement follows Trump’s statement that he was “not happy” with US participation in the exercises. Trump has repeatedly emphasized what he describes as his “very good relationship” with Kim.

Meanwhile, Trump is pushing his aides to arrange another meeting with the North Korean leader as early as this fall, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.

Trump has privately discussed meeting Kim during his next trip to Asia, which could take place in November, when world leaders gather for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Shenzhen, China.

Trump held three meetings with Kim during his first presidential term as part of an effort to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program. No lasting denuclearization agreement was reached, and North Korea has since expanded its nuclear capabilities.