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Washington Today
By the People, for the People
US, South Korea Launch Major Military Drill Amid Iran War
The allies' combined exercise comes as Washington is reportedly relocating some assets from South Korea to support fighting against Iran.
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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The United States has begun a large military exercise with South Korea involving thousands of troops, while also waging an escalating war in the Middle East against Iran. The allies' combined drill, called Freedom Shield, runs through March 19 and may trigger an irritated response from North Korea, which has long described the allies' joint exercises as invasion rehearsals.
Why it matters
The US-South Korea military drills are a key part of the allies' defense posture, but they also raise tensions with North Korea, which views the exercises as a threat. The timing of the drills, amid the US war with Iran, suggests Washington may be shifting some military assets away from the Korean Peninsula.
The details
About 18,000 Korean troops will take part in Freedom Shield, while the number of US troops participating has not been confirmed. The allies' drills follow a major political conference in Pyongyang last month, where North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed his hard-line view of "enemy" Seoul but left the door open to talks with Washington.
- The US-South Korea military exercise began on Monday, March 8, 2026.
- Freedom Shield is scheduled to run through March 19, 2026.
The players
United States
A key ally of South Korea and a major military power engaged in an escalating war with Iran.
South Korea
A close US ally that is participating in the Freedom Shield military exercise with thousands of its troops.
North Korea
A rival of South Korea and the US, which has long viewed the allies' joint military exercises as a threat and may respond with its own military demonstrations.
Kim Jong Un
The leader of North Korea, who recently confirmed his hard-line view of Seoul as an "enemy" but left the door open to talks with Washington.
Donald Trump
The former US president whose summit with Kim Jong Un in 2019 collapsed, leading to a breakdown in dialogue between North Korea and the US.
What’s next
The allies' drills will be accompanied by a field training program called Warrior Shield, but the number of field exercises during the Freedom Shield period has declined compared to last year. There is speculation that the allies are seeking to tone down the spring drills to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea, as South Korea's new president has expressed a desire for diplomacy.
The takeaway
The US-South Korea military drills are a delicate balancing act, as they are a key part of the allies' defense posture but also raise tensions with North Korea. The timing of the drills, amid the US war with Iran, suggests Washington may be shifting some military assets away from the Korean Peninsula, potentially creating an opening for diplomacy with Pyongyang.
