US and South Korea Call Off August Military Exercise
What’s the Big Picture?
After President Donald Trump tipped an end to “war games” with a meet‑up with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the U.S. and South Korea are pulling the plug on the Freedom Guardian drills slated for August.
Why the Sudden Freeze?
- Trump’s pledge to ditch “war games.”
- South Korean Defense Ministry says they’ve put a halt to all planning activities.
- Pentagon buffs confirm the pause and promise a chat with Defense Secretary, State Secretary, and Trump’s national security adviser.
Cost of the Games
While the Pentagon hasn’t released concrete dollar figures yet, a deep‑dive into past budgets hints that one drill can take a tidy chunk of the U.S. defense purse – likely in the low or mid‑tens of millions. In a budget that hits nearly $700 billion, that’s just a drop in the bucket.
Experts’ Take
- Abraham Denmark, former deputy assistant secretary of defense: “It feels more like a marketing gimmick than a real cost‑saver.”
- Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan, Pentagon spokesman: “We’re still crunching the numbers.”
What Happens Next?
There’s no official word on what wargames might replace Freedom Guardian. Experts say the U.S. and South Korea are still moving forward on other frontlines – Foal Eagle and Max Thunder last spring already wrapped up.
On the Field, Not Just Numbers
These exercises aren’t all high‑octane live fire; they’re heavy on “simulated battle” via computers. Still, 17,500 U.S. troops and >50,000 South Korean soldiers last year stayed in the trenches – if only metaphorically – for the drills.
Bottom Line
The decision to pause the drills feels like a plot twist that caught many insiders by surprise, especially when it came out of the blue during the Trump–Kim summit. Whether this move will tip the strategic balance or simply rewrite the playbook remains to be seen.
