(us-cancels-joint-marine-drills-south-korea-over-iran-war-related-force.html)  (../../../themes/custom/alm/icons/favicon.ico)  (../../../themes/custom/alm/icons/globe.svg)  (../../../themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-16x16.png)  (../../../themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-32x32.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-96x96.png)  (../../../themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-192x192.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-60x60.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-57x57.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png)  (https://www.al-monitor.com/themes/custom/alm/icons/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png)                      (https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com)   (us-cancels-joint-marine-drills-south-korea-over-iran-war-related-force.html)  US cancels joint marine drills with South Korea over Iran war-related force constraints - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012 (../../../sites/default/files/css/css_KFDPhLO1KOgcyH-F-AL3mqNZUDGgtVn_M0rV8qoequE.css@delta=0&language=en&theme=alm&include=eJw9jEEOwzAIBD9kmSdZOMYRDTEV0Db-fd0echnNaqRFOaHrCE-4bBetKKlSBFmh66lOrXSWNR12GmQrbwc1DrWC26bWWAfclrutNxotdcEdfsjC4yj4wCv59KATKjqlUPTgPkG4GtpMb6aPw5.css)  (../../../../fonts.googleapis.com/css2@family=Jost%253Aital,wght@0,400%3B0,500%3B0,600%3B0,700%3B1,400%3B1,500%3B1,600%3B1,700&display=fallback.css)  (../../../../fonts.googleapis.com/css2@family=Source+Serif+4%253Aital,wght@0,400%3B0,600%3B0,700%3B1,400%3B1,600%3B1,700&display=fallback.css)  (../../../sites/default/files/css/css_Awz720bL9owaXF_hFMOrs2ssm4x6nzcZ49hPZe6WzaI.css@delta=3&language=en&theme=alm&include=eJw9jEEOwzAIBD9kmSdZOMYRDTEV0Db-fd0echnNaqRFOaHrCE-4bBetKKlSBFmh66lOrXSWNR12GmQrbwc1DrWC26bWWAfclrutNxotdcEdfsjC4yj4wCv59KATKjqlUPTgPkG4GtpMb6aPw5.css)         (us-cancels-joint-marine-drills-south-korea-over-iran-war-related-force.html#main-content) Skip to main content       Click to see menu  (https://www.al-monitor.com/explore) (Search and explore AL-MONITOR) (search icon)  (search icon)    (https://www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/subscribe) Newsletters (https://www.al-monitor.com/events) Events   (https://www.al-monitor.com/) (Logo)  (Logo)    (https://www.al-monitor.com/checkout) Subscribe  (https://www.al-monitor.com/user/login?current=/originals/2026/08/us-cancels-joint-marine-drills-south-korea-over-iran-war-related-force) Sign in        The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012      Close Menu  Search    (Keywords, topics and authors) ()   (Search)     Search       Main navigation (https://www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/subscribe) (Newsletters)    (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2ephp/politics-security) Politics & Security     (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2ephp/culture) Culture     (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2ephp/technology) Technology     (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2ephp/economy-business) Economy & Business     (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2ephp/explore) Explore     (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2ephp/interviews) Interviews     (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2ephp/explore) Explore     (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2ephp/events) Events     (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2ephp/authors) Journalists      Secondary Navigation (https://www.al-monitor.com/turkey)   Turkey   (https://www.al-monitor.com/syria)   Syria   (https://www.al-monitor.com/saudi-arabia)   Saudi Arabia   (https://www.al-monitor.com/iran)   Iran   (https://www.al-monitor.com/united-arab-emirates)   United Arab Emirates   (https://www.al-monitor.com/palestine)   Palestine   (https://www.al-monitor.com/lebanon)   Lebanon   (https://www.al-monitor.com/israel)   Israel   (https://www.al-monitor.com/egypt)   Egypt   (https://www.al-monitor.com/china)   China   (https://www.al-monitor.com/united-states)   United States   (https://www.al-monitor.com/russia)   Russia   (https://www.al-monitor.com/qatar)   Qatar   (https://www.al-monitor.com/oman)   Oman   (https://www.al-monitor.com/iraq)   Iraq   (https://www.al-monitor.com/jordan)   Jordan   (https://www.al-monitor.com/algeria)   Algeria   (https://www.al-monitor.com/bahrain)   Bahrain   (https://www.al-monitor.com/kuwait)   Kuwait   (https://www.al-monitor.com/libya)   Libya   (https://www.al-monitor.com/morocco)   Morocco   (https://www.al-monitor.com/sudan)   Sudan   (https://www.al-monitor.com/tunisia)   Tunisia   (https://www.al-monitor.com/yemen)   Yemen   (https://www.al-monitor.com/somalia)   Somalia     See all            US cancels joint marine drills with South Korea over Iran war-related force constraints   (AL-MONITOR)    Aug 24, 2026       (https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.al-monitor.com%2Foriginals%2F2026%2F08%2Fus-cancels-joint-marine-drills-south-korea-over-iran-war-related-force)     (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=US%20cancels%20joint%20marine%20drills%20with%20South%20Korea%20over%20Iran%20war-related%20force%20constraints&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.al-monitor.com%2Foriginals%2F2026%2F08%2Fus-cancels-joint-marine-drills-south-korea-over-iran-war-related-force&via=AlMonitor)     (mailto:?subject=From%20AL-MONITOR.com%3A%20US%20cancels%20joint%20marine%20drills%20with%20South%20Korea%20over%20Iran%20war-related%20force%20constraints&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.al-monitor.com%2Foriginals%2F2026%2F08%2Fus-cancels-joint-marine-drills-south-korea-over-iran-war-related-force%0A%0ARead%20more%20at%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.AL-MONITOR.com)     (https://google.com/preferences/source?q=https://www.al-monitor.com/)   Add AL-MONITOR on Google         (South Korean Marines' Assault Amphibious Vehicles (KAAV) make their way through waves during U.S., and South Korea's marine corps combined amphibious landing drill called the 'Ssangyong' exercise, in Pohang, South Korea, September 2, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo) (South Korean Marines' Assault Amphibious Vehicles (KAAV) make their way through waves during U.S., and South Korea's marine corps combined amphibious landing drill called the 'Ssangyong' exercise, in Pohang, South Korea, September 2, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo)      South Korean Marines' Assault Amphibious Vehicles (KAAV) make their way through waves during U.S., and South Korea's marine corps combined amphibious landing drill called the 'Ssangyong' exercise, in Pohang, South Korea, September 2, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo — Kim Hong-Ji      SEOUL, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The United States cancelled a joint amphibious landing drill scheduled for next month with South Korea, Seoul's Marine Corps said on Monday, after Washington cited constraints on the availability of U.S. forces due to the war in Iran. The U.S. Marine Corps formally notified its South Korean counterpart in June that force availability would be constrained for the division-level exercise, known as Ssangyong, a South Korean Marine Corps spokesperson told a press briefing. The allies remain in close consultations on resuming the drills, the spokesperson said. He did not specify what measures might be taken to prevent future cancellations or to make up for lost training opportunities. U.S. Forces Korea did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Later on Monday, the U.S. State Department said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun about a "range of issues" in their alliance. Rubio told his South Korean counterpart that Washington and Seoul need to remain in close coordination on matters integral to their alliance, according to a State Department statement. The cancellation of the amphibious landing drill follows U.S. President Donald Trump's surprise order to scale back a separate annual joint military exercise that ended last Friday, citing the cost and Seoul's refusal to take part in the Iran war. Trump also wrote on his Truth Social platform that the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills sent "a signal that was totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful." Despite the reduction of the exercises, Pyongyang fired 10 short-range ballistic missiles last week and issued a statement denouncing the exercises. North Korea has long condemned such joint exercises as rehearsals for invasion. (Reporting by Heejin Kim and Joyce Lee; Additional reporting by Ismail ShakilEditing by Ed Davies)  You're reading a free AL-MONITOR Original  Want more like this?  AL-MONITOR All-Access gives you unlimited access to all our journalism, the full Daily Briefing, exclusive interviews, premium newsletters, and live events — for less than $2/week.  Email Address (https://www.al-monitor.com/checkout) See Offers  (https://www.al-monitor.com/visitor-agreement) Terms and (https://www.al-monitor.com/privacy) Privacy       Related Articles      (U.S. President Donald Trump listens as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a cabinet meeting at Camp David in Thurmont, Maryland, U.S., July 31, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Heuer/File Photo)    (https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/08/trump-orders-pentagon-cut-back-military-exercises-south-korea) Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea      (Anti-war protesters attend a rally calling for a halt to the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji)    (https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/08/south-korea-minister-says-trump-appears-be-pressuring-seoul-over-iran-investment) South Korea minister says Trump appears to be pressuring Seoul over Iran, investment      (U.S. Patriot missile defense systems at a U.S army base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, March 10, 2026.   REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji)    (https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/south-korea-says-it-cannot-stop-us-forces-redeploying-weapons-middle-east) South Korea says it cannot stop US forces from redeploying weapons to Middle East      (FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, South Korea, June 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo)    (https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/03/iran-strikes-spotlight-chances-north-korea-resume-nuclear-talks-trump) Iran strikes spotlight chances for North Korea to resume nuclear talks with Trump             Related Newsletters      (An excavator removes debris from a residential building that was destroyed in today's attack by Israel in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025.)    Newsletter: Daily Briefing   (https://www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2025-06-16/israel-iran-war) Israel, Iran at war    (https://www.al-monitor.com/authors/gabrielle-debinski) (Gabrielle Debinski)     (https://www.al-monitor.com/authors/gabrielle-debinski) Gabrielle Debinski  In New York City , reporting on the Middle East       (TOPSHOT - Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon fighter aircraft of China's Ba Yi (August 1st) Aerobatics Team release smoke while performing manoeuvres during the first Egypt International Airshow at Alamein International Airport in Alamein in northern Egypt on September 4, 2024. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images))    Newsletter: China-Middle East   (https://www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2025-04-17/al-monitor-china-middle-east-china-egypt-first-ever-joint-air-force-drills) Al-Monitor China-Middle East: China-Egypt first-ever joint air force drills    (https://www.al-monitor.com/authors/joyce-karam) (Joyce Karam)     (https://www.al-monitor.com/authors/joyce-karam) Joyce Karam        (This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025, shows navy personnel saluting aboard a Chinese military ship during a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese drill in the Gulf of Oman.)    Newsletter: Daily Briefing   (https://www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2025-07-22/iran-russia-launch-joint-naval-drills) Iran, Russia launch joint naval drills    (https://www.al-monitor.com/authors/gabrielle-debinski) (Gabrielle Debinski)     (https://www.al-monitor.com/authors/gabrielle-debinski) Gabrielle Debinski  In New York City , reporting on the Middle East       (The tanker, Bantry Bay unloads its cargo at the Navigator Terminals, an oil storage depot along the River Thames on March 10, 2026 in London, England. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images))    Newsletter: Gulf   (https://www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2026-03-10/gulf-states-rush-protect-energy-infrastructure) Gulf states rush to protect energy infrastructure    (https://www.al-monitor.com/authors/francesco-schiavi) (Francesco Schiavi)     (https://www.al-monitor.com/authors/francesco-schiavi) Francesco Schiavi  In Bologna , reporting on security, defense, economy, governance                  (us-cancels-joint-marine-drills-south-korea-over-iran-war-related-force.html) (Logo)   The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012   (https://www.al-monitor.com/checkout) Subscribe Now   Countries  (https://www.al-monitor.com/turkey) Turkey  (https://www.al-monitor.com/saudi-arabia) Saudi Arabia  (https://www.al-monitor.com/iran) Iran  (https://www.al-monitor.com/united-arab-emirates) (United Arab Amirates) UAE  (https://www.al-monitor.com/israel) Israel  (https://www.al-monitor.com/palestine) Palestine  (https://www.al-monitor.com/egypt) Egypt  (https://www.al-monitor.com/qatar) Qatar  (https://www.al-monitor.com/lebanon) Lebanon  (https://www.al-monitor.com/syria) Syria    (https://www.al-monitor.com/iraq) Iraq  (https://www.al-monitor.com/jordan) Jordan  (https://www.al-monitor.com/oman) Oman  (https://www.al-monitor.com/bahrain) Bahrain  (https://www.al-monitor.com/kuwait) Kuwait  (https://www.al-monitor.com/yemen) Yemen  (https://www.al-monitor.com/libya) Libya  (https://www.al-monitor.com/sudan) Sudan  (https://www.al-monitor.com/tunisia) Tunisia  (https://www.al-monitor.com/morocco) Morocco  (https://www.al-monitor.com/algeria) Algeria    Sectors  (https://www.al-monitor.com/politics-security) Politics & Security  (https://www.al-monitor.com/economy-business) Economy & Business  (https://www.al-monitor.com/technology) Technology  (https://www.al-monitor.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.al-monitor.com/archives) Our Archive    Terms of Use  (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2Ephp/visitor-agreement) Visitor Agreement  (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2Ephp/privacy) Privacy Policy  (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2Ephp/frequently-asked-questions-faqs) FAQs  (https://www.al-monitor.com/index%2Ephp/submission-guidelines) Submissions and Discussions Policy    About Us  (https://www.al-monitor.com/about) About  (https://www.al-monitor.com/authors) Journalists  (https://www.al-monitor.com/about#team) Team  (https://www.al-monitor.com/about#opportunities) Careers    (https://google.com/preferences/source?q=https://www.al-monitor.com/)   Add AL-MONITOR on Google    Sign up to our Daily Briefing  Keep up with AL-MONITOR's top stories with a morning digest from across the region.  (87e882df3ec4271bd20cb5064eb1ced3)  () (Email Address)   (Sign Up)     Sign Up   (form-KFku2uxdTJ3gLSR2NO5VMhgdjARpSvYWHa_oafBh9vA)  (sign_up_form_1)       For subscription inquiries, please contact (mailto:subscription.support@al-monitor.com) subscription.support@al-monitor.com . For all other inquiries, please use (mailto:contactus@al-monitor.com) contactus@al-monitor.com .  ©2026 AL-MONITOR, LLC. All rights reserved.