South Korea and U.S. Set Aug. 10 Week for Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercises After North Korean Missile Test

South Korea and the United States are scheduled to begin their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises during the week of Aug. 10, 2026, as the allies seek to strengthen readiness against threats from North Korea.

The announcement came days after North Korea resumed ballistic-missile testing. South Korea, the United States and Japan detected a short-range ballistic missile launch from the Wonsan area on North Korea’s eastern coast at about 5 p.m. local time on Aug. 6. The missile was fired toward the sea, according to South Korean military authorities.

The Aug. 6 launch was North Korea’s first reported ballistic-weapons testing activity since late June. South Korea described it as a provocation and a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, which prohibit North Korea from engaging in ballistic activities. South Korean authorities said they had strengthened surveillance and were coordinating closely with Washington and Tokyo.

The exercises are a major annual military event on the Korean Peninsula. Detailed information on the 2026 schedule and participating units had not yet been released in the cited reporting. The next known step is the start of the allied drills during the week of Aug. 10.