SEOUL — The United States has canceled a major joint amphibious military exercise with South Korea scheduled for next month, citing constraints on U.S. force availability due to the ongoing war with Iran, South Korean military officials confirmed on Monday.
The Ssangyong drills, a biennial exercise involving marine forces from both nations, were set to strengthen combined operations, including amphibious landings with warships, aircraft, and ground forces. The U.S. Marine Corps formally notified South Korea in June that its ability to deploy forces for the exercise would be limited due to the Middle East conflict, according to Han Seung-jeon, a spokesman for the South Korean Marine Corps.
Seoul and Washington are now in consultations to determine the future of the drills, though no timeline for resumption has been provided. The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment on the cancellation.
The decision follows President Donald Trump’s order last week to scale back another joint military exercise, the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, from 11 days to five. Trump cited the high cost of the exercises and described them as sending an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea. He also emphasized his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stating that Pyongyang now possesses 57 "very powerful" nuclear weapons, according to Seoul’s estimates of North Korea’s arsenal ranging between 80 to 120 weapons.
Background on the Ssangyong Exercises
The Ssangyong drills, which began in 2012, are designed to enhance combat readiness and interoperability between South Korean and U.S. forces. The exercise, whose name means "two dragons," focuses on advancing South Korea’s Marine Task Force and command-and-control capabilities through combined training. The most recent iteration was held in 2024.
Regional Reactions and Broader Implications
The cancellation has raised concerns among U.S. allies in Asia about the reliability of American security commitments. Analysts and officials from Japan, Taiwan, and India have expressed unease over Trump’s approach, which they view as prioritizing engagement with North Korea at the expense of traditional military partnerships.
Trump’s decision to reduce drills with South Korea comes amid frustration over allied support for U.S. operations in the Middle East. A White House official noted that the administration expects allies to increase their defense spending and contributions to shared security efforts. Trump has also signaled interest in restarting talks with North Korea, framing it as a potential diplomatic victory amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
South Korea’s military has not provided further details on the status of the Ssangyong drills but confirmed ongoing discussions with U.S. counterparts to address the cancellation.