Overview

• The South Korea–U.S. Combined Forces Command said the exercise reinforced the alliance’s defensive posture, enhanced combined readiness and demonstrated credible deterrence.
• Ulchi Freedom Shield 25 ran for 11 days from Aug. 18–28 and included a four-day civil defense component on the South Korean side.
• Roughly half of the planned field training events were deferred to September, with South Korea’s military attributing the change to multiple factors including a heat wave.
• North Korea issued repeated denunciations of the drills, with Kim Jong-un claiming they were meant to “ignite a war,” while U.S. Forces Korea said the training is “far from aggression.”
• During the exercise period, North Korea tested new air-defense missiles but refrained from major provocations such as long-range ballistic launches.