Published: 17:29, August 18, 2026
US commander visits ROK defense ministry after Trump order to scale back joint drills
By Xinhua
US Gen. Xavier Brunson speaks during the ROK and US repatriation ceremony for Korean remains at Seoul Military Air Base in Seongnam, the Republic of Korea, June 5, 2026. (POOL PHOTO VIA AP)

SEOUL – Commander of the US Forces Korea (USFK) Xavier Brunson visited the Republic of Korea's defense ministry on Tuesday to hold talks with the ROK defense officials following US President Donald Trump's order to scale back joint ROK-US military drills, according to Yonhap news agency.

The ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, a summertime ROK-US military exercise featuring field maneuvers, a computer-simulated command post exercise and civil defense drills, will last for 11 days until Aug 27.