South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back meets with Combined Forced Command troops at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Jan. 6, 2026. (South Korean Ministry of National Defense)
The major military exercises carried out by South Korea and the United States will go on as they do each year, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said this week in a televised interview.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in November reportedly raised the possibility of cutting back on the drills. Lee at the time said Seoul may consider scaling back training with U.S. forces to reduce tensions with Pyongyang, according to a Nov. 24 report in NK News.
“Exercises are lifeline of the military,” Ahn said during a Tuesday appearance on Yonhap News TV. Military training is a practice, not an exercise in words, he said.
The allies hold two large-scale exercises each year — Freedom Shield in the spring and Ulchi Freedom Shield in summer. The training will take place this year as planned with no major changes, Ahn said.
“At this time, we plan to conduct the combined exercise as scheduled,” he said. “For now, South Korea and the U.S. are thoroughly preparing in accordance with the roadmap without any major changes.”
Lee, leader of the liberal Democratic Party in South Korea, took office in June following his conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment and removal from office over his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Forces Korea said the first exercise is calendared as usual.
“The Republic of Korea and the United States, in collaboration with United Nations Command, is scheduled to conduct Exercise Freedom Shield, an annual defense-focused exercise,” said Jamie Choi, a spokeswoman for USFK, Combined Forces Command and U.N. Command. Republic of Korea is South Korea’s formal name.
The training is designed to strengthen the U.S.-South Korean alliance, enhance their combined defense posture and improve joint readiness, Choi said by email Thursday.
Exact dates for the exercise will come later, she said. The U.S. typically does not release details about the drills, including locations, units or training activities.
Ahn, however, left open the possibility of adjustments, saying decisions could be made if U.S.-North Korea talks take place in April.
President Donald Trump said he plans to visit China in April, according to one of his Truth Social posts from November.
Trump while on a round of visits to Japan and South Korea in late October hoped for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that did not materialize. Trump at the time told reporters he would come back for such a meeting.
Ahn on Tuesday toured the headquarters of Combined Forces Command at Camp Humphreys, about 40 miles south of Seoul, the Ministry of National Defense said in a news release that day.
Ahn chose Humphreys as his first on-site inspection of the year because firm, combined defense readiness is more important than ever, the ministry said.
During the visit, Ahn discussed security issues with U.S. Army Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of USFK, Combined Forces Command and U.N. Command, according to the release.
“Amid the rapidly changing security environment, the combat readiness posture of ‘Fight Tonight’ must not falter even for a moment,” Ahn said in the release.
