On August 20th, North Korea launched approximately 10 short-range missiles toward the sea, shortly after dismissing the U.S. decision to ease off military exercises with South Korea, the Associated Press reports. The missiles traveled nearly 300 kilometers east, originating from North Korea’s capital region. It has been confirmed that South Korea increased its security and has been coordinating with the U.S. and Japan regarding missile information. The timing of the launches is significant, as it directly followed the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which was intended as a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea. 

AP stated that President Donald Trump had ordered that the exercises be “substantially reduced,” just a day before the launch. He also claimed that he expects to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year. Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, denied that the exercises were reduced with good intentions, saying the “provocative, aggressive nature” remained. However, she went on to state that the relationship between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump remains “excellent.”

Reduction of forces is a positive action as it lowers the immediate perception of military threat and can create an environment that encourages collaboration. Exercises like the Ulchi Freedom Shield, which is carried out annually, exist to ensure that U.S. and South Korean forces can respond effectively should North Korea attack. The recent missile launches prove that security threats have not disappeared.

North Korea’s failure to reciprocate does not necessarily indicate that diplomacy is ineffective, but it does demonstrate that meaningful negotiations should not be one-sided. The U.S. and South Korea should continue to carefully reduce any provocative activity while also preparing for defense. North Korea, meanwhile, needs to demonstrate a willingness to participate in negotiations instead of testing missiles to strengthen its bargaining position. 

North Korea has described the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise as invasion rehearsals. Trump and Kim previously held diplomatic meetings in 2018 and 2019, but negotiations collapsed over disagreements regarding denuclearization. Kim has rejected putting North Korea’s nuclear program back on the negotiation table, making the current situation much more difficult. AP states that since then, North Korea has grown stronger and modernized its weapons arsenal, gaining more leverage and positioning itself to seek sanctions relief and recognition as a nuclear state. 

Reducing military exercises will not resolve the deep mistrust between these countries. Instead, military readiness and diplomatic communications are essential. Peace on the Korean Peninsula will require moving past a perpetual cycle in which military preparations provoke attacks.