Hundreds of activists across the U.S. demand end to U.S.-ROK military drills

• Hundreds of activists across major U.S. cities, led by Nodutdol and BAYAN-USA, protested the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea (ROK).
• Protesters demanded the end of the U.S.-ROK military alliance, citing regional instability, human costs, and the risk of war in the Pacific, including potential conflict with China.

Nationwide U.S. Demonstrations

• New York City: 200 protesters marched from Times Square to the offices of Hanwha Asset Management to oppose economic and military ties.
• San Francisco: 120 people gathered at the Federal Building to highlight the intersection of militarism in Korea, the Philippines, and Palestine.
• Los Angeles: Over 200 people rallied in Koreatown, marching through local consulates to denounce the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.
• Seattle & Minneapolis: Gatherings focused on anti-imperialist solidarity, featuring performances and speeches against U.S. foreign intervention.

Concerns Over Military Exercises

• Ulchi Freedom Shield: Annual August drills that activists claim rehearse decapitation strikes and nuclear deployment against the DPRK.
• Regional Escalation: Reports indicate the U.S. has been deploying Multi-Domain Task Forces to Korea since 2025 to prepare for confrontation with China.
• Human and Environmental Impact: Critics cited the accidental bombing of Nogok-ri and a white phosphorus leak at Osan Air Base as evidence of the dangers posed by the U.S. military presence.

Activist Perspectives

• Organizers reject the characterization of their homelands as "fixed aircraft carriers" for U.S. foreign policy.
• Protestors view the U.S. presence as an obstacle to peace and diplomatic engagement, calling for the total withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Korean Peninsula and the broader Asia-Pacific region.