The United States has canceled a large joint amphibious landing exercise with South Korea. The reason is limited troop availability due to the ongoing war in Iran. The South Korean Marine Corps announced the cancellation of the Ssangyong exercise, which was set for next month, on Monday. This decision follows a directive from President Donald Trump to reduce the scale of separate annual military drills.
Key Details
The Ssangyong drills involve combined operations of marine forces from both countries. These typically include warships, aircraft, and ground forces rehearsing amphibious landings. A spokesperson for the South Korean Marine Corps said the US Marine Corps formally notified them in June about the limits on deploying forces for this year's exercise due to the situation in the Middle East.
This cancellation comes after Trump ordered a reduction in the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. He cut them from 11 days to five. Trump cited high costs and the need to avoid sending an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea as reasons for the cutback. He stated on his Truth Social platform that the drills sent a message that was not suitable given North Korea's current stance.
Background
Despite the cancellation, South Korean officials said discussions are ongoing about the potential resumption of the amphibious exercise. However, no specific steps to address the training gap or prevent future cancellations were provided.
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The cancellation of the joint military exercise could affect defense sector stocks. This is especially true for those linked to US and South Korean military operations. Investors may react to the implications for regional security and military readiness. Watch for updates on the discussions between the US and South Korea regarding future military drills.
Based on reporting by: scmp.com, independent.co.uk