[Anchor]
It has been confirmed that the field maneuver exercises of the South Korea-U.S. joint military drills, which began the day before yesterday (the 17th), will be significantly scaled back following instructions from U.S. President Trump. More than 10 out of the 14 planned exercises could be canceled.
Here is a report by reporter Choi Jae-yeong.
[Reporter]
As the second-half South Korea-U.S. joint exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), is underway, General Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, made an unusual visit to the Ministry of National Defense headquarters in Seoul yesterday afternoon while leaving the UFS command post.
It is reported that Commander Brunson discussed reduction measures with Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-back regarding U.S. President Trump's directive to scale back the joint exercises.
The targets for reduction are the 14 joint South Korea-U.S. field maneuvers planned during this UFS period.
A South Korean military official told SBS, "During last year's joint exercises, the U.S. military accepted our military's request to reduce field maneuvers," adding, "This time, since the U.S. military requested the reduction, our military has no choice but to comply."
Another key government official stated, "The South Korea-U.S. military authorities are adjusting the drills so that South Korean-led joint exercises are conducted only by the South Korean military, and U.S.-led joint exercises are conducted only by the U.S. military."
The official added, "Out of the 14 field maneuvers, 10 or more could be canceled."
It has been confirmed that the amphibious landing exercise, which is considered a symbol of the South Korea-U.S. joint drills, has already been scaled back to a South Korean solo exercise.
An unusual situation also occurred regarding the main UFS command post.
The command post for the joint exercises, located at CP Tango in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, was temporarily relocated to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, the day before yesterday.
Following guidelines from the U.S. Forces Korea, the command post was subsequently moved back to CP Tango.
(Video Editing: Jung Sung-hoon, Design: Hwang Se-yeon)
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