▲ This file photo, released by the Associated Press, shows the Pentagon near Washington on Aug. 27, 2023. (Yonhap)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Department of Defense said Tuesday that adjustments to the ongoing South Korea-U.S. military exercise will not degrade its intended training objectives while also preserving the allies' "essential readiness."

At a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump, the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will conclude Friday, a week earlier than scheduled, while associated live-training events have also been reduced, the department said in a statement.

"These adjustments preserve essential readiness and training objectives. There will be no degradation to U.S. training objectives," it added.

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