Seoul: The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Kim Yo-jong, declared on Thursday that the United States' decision to scale down the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise has left Seoul "in a poor plight of canceling 'war games' it liked very much."

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Yo-jong made these remarks following the decision by South Korea and the United States to downscale the annual summertime combined exercise. The reduction followed U.S. President Donald Trump's directive to lessen the intensity of the drills.

Kim Yo-jong criticized the sudden order from Trump, stating that it has put Seoul in an unfavorable position. She also addressed President Lee Jae Myung's conflicting statements, which she interpreted as a sign of South Korea's unease regarding the situation. Lee had expressed support for the reduction while also advocating for the "independent buildup of military capabilities."

Kim further emphasized that this reduced scale of the exercise is unprecedented and problematic for South Korea, calling it "an evident disaster" for a nation heavily reliant on U.S. military support. She suggested that the reduction signifies that U.S. security assistance is no longer guaranteed without cost.

The UFS exercise, initially set for an 11-day duration from August 17 to 27, was curtailed and concluded earlier on Trump's suggestion. This decision was announced via a social media post, where Trump highlighted the financial implications and his positive rapport with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as reasons for the adjustment.

Despite the downsizing, the U.S. Defense Department assured that this move does not compromise the military capabilities of the U.S.-South Korea alliance. Meanwhile, North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, even as Trump seeks to reengage with Kim Jong-un.