The annual US-South Korean military exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield, which previously drew criticism from US President Donald Trump, ended early on Friday, August 21, without simulating a counter-offensive on North Korean positions.
Trump last Sunday, August 16, demanded that the Pentagon “significantly reduce” military exercises with South Korea to repel a possible North Korean attack, citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. According to Trump, during his second term, the behavior of the DPRK authorities was “non-threatening and respectful.”
After the start of the exercises, which were shortened by six days at Trump’s request, North Korea launched at least a dozen ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan. The sister of the North Korean leader, Kim Yo Jong, had previously publicly stated the “provocative and aggressive” nature of her neighbors’ exercises, despite their abbreviated format. She emphasized that her brother really has an “excellent” relationship with Trump.
As the Associated Press (AP) notes, the exercises were eventually curtailed after the first part of the plan, during which the US and South Korean militaries practiced repelling an alleged North Korean attack on South Korea. The next phase—the counteroffensive—was to be practiced until August 27. Also, due to Trump's order, only half of the planned 14 joint field training sessions were conducted.
Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, suggested that Kim Jong-un is not yet interested in establishing relations with Washington, as he is focused on Russia and China, but this direction of Pyongyang’s policy may encounter difficulties.
“When this strategy runs its course, Kim may seek further economic and reputational gains in Washington. But this will most likely happen after the midterm elections in the United States. [в ноябре]when Trump is likely to find himself in a weaker position on the domestic stage and wants bright foreign policy headlines,” the expert suggested.
On Wednesday, August 19, Trump told reporters that he plans to meet with Kim before the end of the year. During his first term as president, the Republican met with the North Korean leader three times, including in the demarcation zone between the two Koreas. Trump then became the first sitting US president to set foot in North Korea.
Politico noted against the background of Trump's decision to curtail the exercises that the position may be associated not only with the desire for normalization with Pyongyang, but also with dissatisfaction with trade and investment relations with Seoul. In particular, according to media reports, the White House believes that South Korea is delaying the fulfillment of its obligations to invest $350 billion, and also allegedly unfairly fined the US-based marketplace Coupang $400 million for violating local laws.
