The U.S. and South Korean militaries ended their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on Friday.

It finished six days earlier than planned.

President Donald Trump had ordered the drill to be "substantially reduced" before it began Monday.

He cited his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's stance on the war in Iran.

The exercise was originally set for 11 days in two phases.

The second phase focused on counteroffensive operations.

The two countries also agreed to cut the number of joint field training exercises in half, from 14 to seven.

This came from South Korea's military.

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, dismissed Trump's gesture on Wednesday.

She said the reduced drill still had a "provocative, aggressive nature."

The next day, North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea.

The U.S. Pacific Command said these events posed no immediate threat to U.S. territory or allies.

Kim Yo Jong's statement dampened hopes for an early resumption of talks between Trump and Kim Jong Un.

Their nuclear diplomacy collapsed in 2019.

Since then, Kim Jong Un has modernized his arsenal and aligned with Russia.

Kim Yo Jong used measured language.

This suggests North Korea may still seek future talks but wants bigger concessions.

These include recognition as a nuclear state and sanctions relief.