South Korea and the United States were set to wrap up their key military exercise Friday, nearly a week ahead of its original schedule after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a significant reduction in a move widely seen as a conciliatory gesture toward North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise has been cut short from 11 days to five, following Trump's directive to scale back drills that he said could send an "inappropriate and hostile" message to Pyongyang. Trump also cited the cost burden and his good relationship with Kim. The UFS is one of the two major theater-level combined exercises the allies conduct annually to train for contingencies against North Korea. While centered on computer-simulated command post training, the exercise also incorporates major field maneuvers based on various wartime contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. The allies had planned to stage 14 field maneuvers at the battalion-level or above, but these drills were expected to be significantly reduced. Counterattack-oriented drills, typically held during the second week of the UF