Overview

• The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise is scheduled for Aug. 18-28 with participation from South Korean and U.S. forces alongside UN Command member states.
• Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission observers will monitor compliance with the 1953 Armistice Agreement throughout the drills.
• Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has proposed pushing back some field training to September to foster inter-Korean engagement.
• A report by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses warns that unilateral adjustments could erode trust between U.S. Forces Korea and Seoul.
• North Korea has condemned the drills as invasion preparations and has historically responded to such exercises with weapons tests.