S. Korea-US drills wrap up

Joint military drills between South Korean and US troops ended Friday, nearly a week ahead of schedule.

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise was cut short from 11 days to five after US President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized the drills as costly and hostile toward Pyongyang, citing his close relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The conclusion of the drills comes a day after North Korea launched more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea.

Due to the shortened schedule, the UFS, typically divided into a defense-focused first phase and a counterattack-focused second phase, only went through the first phase.

The training included field exercises involving military aircraft and armored vehicles as well as river-crossing exercises along the Imjin River in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

The remaining days of the planned exercises are expected to be rescheduled following consultations between Seoul and Washington.