Ulchi

Ulchi is a term associated with several related topics connected to the Russian Far East and to a contemporary military exercise. Most commonly, it refers to the Ulchi people, an indigenous ethnic group of the Russian Federation, and to their language, Ulchi. The term also appears in the name of a major joint military exercise conducted by the United States and South Korea, known as Ulchi-Freedom Guardian.

Ulchi people: The Ulchi are one of the Indigenous small-numbered peoples of the Russian Federation. They historically inhabited areas in what are now Khabarovsk Krai and Primorsky Krai, along parts of the Amur and Ussuri river basins. Traditional Ulchi livelihoods focused on fishing, hunting, gathering, and seasonal mobility, with occasional agriculture. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, contact with Russian settlers, missionaries, and Soviet policies influenced social structure, language use, and religion. Today many Ulchi live in urban and rural communities across the region and are largely bilingual in Russian while maintaining elements of their own cultural heritage.

Ulchi language: Ulchi is a Tungusic language spoken by the Ulchi people. It is classified within the Tungusic language family, and within the broader Southern or Southeastern branch by some linguists. The language is considered endangered, with a declining number of native speakers, particularly among younger generations, as Russian becomes dominant in education and media. Efforts to document and revitalize Ulchi focus on oral literature, linguistic description, and community programs.

Ulchi-Freedom Guardian: Ulchi-Freedom Guardian is a major joint military exercise conducted by the United States and South Korea. The exercise is designed to test command and control, planning, and decision-making in a simulated environment, and it has been a recurring element of the allied defense posture in the region.