[10] The North Korean foreign ministry stated that "the prevailing situation requires us to bolster up the war deterrent physically and goes to prove that it was entirely just when we determined to fully reexamine the nuclear issue.
"[10] General James D. Thurman, added on, stating that Ulchi Freedom Guardian is "a key exercise in strengthening the readiness of Republic of Korea and U.S.
"[11] The 2017 exercise took place August 21–31,[12] during a crisis over successful North Korean missile tests and strong rhetoric by U.S. President Trump.
[3][5] South Korean media reported that the U.S. had cancelled plans to deploy strategic assets in the exercise, such as aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered submarines or a B1 bomber.
[20][21] No fly zones was also established along the DMZ to ban the operation of drones, helicopters and other aircraft from coming within 10 to 40 km away from the MDL.
[23] North Korea complained that the exercise violated U.S. President Donald Trump's promise to halt major war games.