Joint military drills between the United States and South Korea are being shortened after President Donald Trump ordered the exercises to be reduced, saying he has a “very good” relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The change surprised officials in Seoul, who said they had no advance warning. The drills, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, will now end on August 21 instead of August 27, and some live‑training events have been canceled or turned into simulations. South Korea said the adjustments were made at the request of the U.S. side and that both countries are still working on the details. Trump has talked publicly about meeting Kim again, though no planning has begun, and Kim’s sister said she was not aware of any communication between the two nations. The shift comes as North Korea continues to criticize the drills as hostile and as tensions rise in the region. South Korea relies heavily on U.S. military support, and officials said Trump’s sudden announcement unsettled them. The U.S. says the exercises are defensive and needed to maintain readiness, especially as North Korea expands its missile and nuclear programs and strengthens ties with Russia. Trump said the drills sent the wrong message to Pyongyang and argued that reducing them would make the region safer. Kim has rejected recent outreach from both Washington and Seoul, saying he will not return to talks unless demands for denuclearization are dropped.