[Anchor]
Following the directive by U.S. President Trump, ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises are set to be significantly scaled back. Out of 14 outdoor field maneuvers, more than 10 are likely to be canceled.
Our first report today comes from reporter Choi Jae-yeong.
[Reporter]
As the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), gets underway for the second half of this year, General Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, made an unusual visit to the Ministry of National Defense headquarters in Seoul yesterday afternoon, leaving the UFS command post.
It is reported that Commander Brunson discussed measures to scale down the exercises with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back in connection with U.S. President Trump's directive to reduce South Korea-U.S. joint drills.
The targets for reduction are the 14 South Korea-U.S. joint outdoor field training exercises 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 scale down field training," 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 exercises so that South Korean military-led joint drills are conducted solely by South Korean forces, and U.S.-led joint drills solely by U.S. forces."
The official added, "Out of the 14 outdoor field training sessions, as many as 10 or more could be canceled."
It has been confirmed that the amphibious landing exercise, which serves as a symbol of South Korea-U.S. joint drills, has already been scaled down to a South Korea-only exercise.
An unusual situation also occurred regarding the main UFS command post.
The command post for the South Korea-U.S. 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: Jeong Seong-hun, Design: Hwang Se-yeon)
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