US cancels joint marine drills with South Korea over Iran war-related force constraints

The United States has canceled a joint amphibious landing drill with South Korea, originally scheduled for next month, due to constraints on US forces related to the ongoing war in Iran. The US Marine Corps informed its South Korean counterpart in June that force availability would be limited for the division-level exercise, known as Ssangyong.

This decision comes shortly after US President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in separate annual joint military exercises. Trump cited the cost and Seoul's refusal to participate in the Iran war as reasons for scaling back the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills. He described the exercises as sending an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to Iran, which he characterized as unthreatening and respectful under his presidency.

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force availability would be constrained for the division-level exercise, known as Ssangyong

Despite the reduced exercises, North Korea responded by firing 10 short-range ballistic missiles and condemning the drills as rehearsals for invasion. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun about various alliance issues, emphasizing the need for close coordination.

South Korea's Marine Corps spokesperson confirmed the cancellation and stated that the allies are in close consultation regarding the resumption of drills, though specific measures to prevent future cancellations or compensate for lost training were not detailed. US Forces Korea did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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a signal that was totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful.