The U.S. Department of Defense said Tuesday that adjustments to the ongoing South Korea-U.S. military exercise will not degrade its intended training objectives while also preserving the allies' "essential readiness."

At a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump, the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will conclude Friday, a week earlier than scheduled, while associated live-training events have also been reduced, the department said in a statement.

"These adjustments preserve essential readiness and training objectives. There will be no degradation to U.S. training objectives," it added.