US cancels Korea amphibious drill amid Iran conflict pressures

The United States has canceled a joint amphibious landing exercise with South Korea scheduled for September as the Pentagon continues shifting troops and military assets toward the Middle East amid the conflict with Iran, according to South Korean and US military officials.

Washington cites troop availability

The canceled exercise, known as Ssangyong, was confirmed by military officials from both countries, according to The Chosun Daily. US President Donald Trump has said the Pentagon maintains about 39,000 troops on the Korean Peninsula under the defense arrangement with Seoul.

US officials reportedly told their South Korean counterparts that assembling enough personnel for the exercise had become difficult following the Iran war and its aftermath. The cancellation therefore reflects the wider pressure on US military resources as Washington manages commitments in multiple regions.

Seoul plans separate military exercise

South Korea is now preparing to carry out the drill without US participation. When conducted jointly, Ssangyong typically involves between 10,000 and 20,000 troops, along with amphibious assault ships and advanced stealth aircraft.

The exercise is designed to strengthen the allies’ ability to conduct large-scale amphibious operations and remains part of broader military preparations on the Korean Peninsula. Holding the drill independently would allow Seoul to maintain its planned training despite the US withdrawal.

US-South Korea exercises already reduced

The cancellation follows changes to another major annual military exercise between Washington and Seoul. The Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) drills ended earlier than originally scheduled after the Pentagon reduced the exercise from 11 days to five.

The shortened exercise concluded last Friday following instructions from Trump, who has placed greater emphasis on diplomatic outreach to North Korea. The latest cancellation adds another change to the military training schedule between the United States and South Korea.