USFK chief in talks on trimming joint drills with South Korea

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Xavier Brunson visited South Korea's Defence Ministry on Tuesday to discuss reducing the scale of the joint Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise, according to media reports. The ministry and USFK did not immediately comment on the reported talks.

The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump's instruction to the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" the drills, with Trump saying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had responded to his outreach.

Earlier on Tuesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for stronger independent defence capabilities while insisting that the annual civil-defence exercises held alongside the joint military drills were defensive and not aimed at threatening North Korea.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Lee said the U.S.-South Korea alliance and self-reliant defence were mutually reinforcing. "A strong alliance makes the foundation of security stronger, and strengthening our own capabilities increases our value and necessity as an ally," he said.

Lee stressed that maintaining peace was the government's top priority but that Seoul must also prepare for a "worst-case scenario," underscoring the need for stronger military capabilities. He also called for faster progress on South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine programme and for developing officers capable of integrated operations as battlefields become less distinct.

At a National Security Council meeting, Lee reiterated that the civil-defence exercises were defensive in nature, saying Seoul had no intention of using them to attack North Korea or raise tensions. Their purpose, he said, was to protect citizens' daily lives rather than target any particular party as an enemy.

In a separate briefing, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac expressed hope that Trump's message would help revive dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. "We hope the friendly relationship between the U.S. and North Korean leaders will lead to meaningful North Korea-U.S. dialogue," Wi told reporters, adding that such engagement could bring tangible progress toward peace and stability on the peninsula.

The discussions come ahead of a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to South Korea on Wednesday and Thursday, with talks expected to cover Korean Peninsula developments and regional security issues.

The presidential office said it would continue coordinating closely with Washington on the allies' combined defence posture and military exercises. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began on Monday and are scheduled to run through August 27.