The US and South Korea said they will end their annual large-scale joint military exercises as Washington pursues efforts to improve ties with North Korea. The decision comes days after the conclusion of US President Donald Trump's second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, which ended without a formal agreement but with both sides suggesting they would keep talking. During a Saturday phone call between South Korean Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and his US counterpart Patrick Shanahan, "both sides decided to conclude the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle series of exercises," according to a Pentagon statement. The two allies will instead carry out "adjusted outside manoeuvre trainings and united command exercises to continue firm military readiness", Seoul's defence ministry said Sunday. Foal Eagle is the biggest of the regular joint exercises held by the allies. In the past, it has involved 200,000 South Korean forces and some 30,000 US soldiers. It is … [Read more...] about US, South Korea to end key joint military exercises
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US, South Korea scale back military exercise
WASHINGTON — The United States and South Korea have scaled down a joint military exercise scheduled for the spring of 2019 to facilitate nuclear talks with North Korea, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday. "Foal Eagle is being reorganised a bit to keep it at a level that will not be harmful to diplomacy," Mattis said, adding that it would be "reduced in scope." US and South Korean forces have been training together for years, and routinely rehearse everything from beach landings to an invasion from the North and even "decapitation" strikes targeting the North Korean regime. But personal insults and threats of war between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were replaced last year by a rapid diplomatic rapprochement. In April, citing a "fresh climate of detente and peace" on the peninsula, Kim declared the nuclear quest complete and said his country would focus on "socialist … [Read more...] about US, South Korea scale back military exercise
Major US military exercises with South Korea ‘suspended indefinitely’
US-South Korea military exercises have long been a source of irritation for North Korea, which considers them preparation for an invasion AFP/HANDOUT The move, a significant break in how the US and South Korean militaries have worked together for decades, came even as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that peace efforts still face risks, and insisted sanctions must be maintained until Pyongyang dismantles its nuclear arsenal. "Major military exercises have been suspended indefinitely on the Korean peninsula," a senior US official told AFP. Trump on Tuesday had said the US would halt "war games" with its South Korean security ally - but he did not make clear when the freeze would kick in. US and South Korean forces have been training together for years, and routinely rehearse everything from beach landings to an invasion from the North, or even "decapitation" strikes targeting the North Korean regime. Pyongyang typically reacts furiously. Following drills last year, the North … [Read more...] about Major US military exercises with South Korea ‘suspended indefinitely’
Japan warns US-South Korea drills ‘vital’
By Reuters  June 13, 2018 | 09:50 am GMT+7 Trump stunned observers Tuesday, after meeting North Korea's leader, by saying the regular joint US-South Korea military exercises would be halted as Washington fleshes out a deal with Pyongyang. Photo by AFP U.S. President Donald Trump said the drills would be halted after a historic summit with N Korean's Kim. US military drills with South Korea and Washington's troop presence there are "vital" for regional security, Japan said Wednesday, raising concerns after U.S. President Donald Trump said the drills would be halted. "The drills and the US military stationed in South Korea play a vital role in East Asia's security," Japan's defence minister Itsunori Onodera said when asked about Trump's surprise announcement. "I hope to share this recognition between Japan and the U.S., or among Japan, U.S. and South Korea," he told reporters. Trump stunned observers Tuesday, after meeting North Korea's leader, by saying … [Read more...] about Japan warns US-South Korea drills ‘vital’
US, S Korea kick off annual joint military exercises after month-long delay
By Reuters  April 1, 2018 | 09:19 am GMT+7 The U.S. and South Korean armed forces regularly hold joint military exercises on the Korean Peninsula. Photo by Reuters A Pentagon spokesman said in March the two joint drills would involve about 23,700 U.S. troops and 300,000 South Korean forces. South Korea and the United States kicked off their annual joint military exercises on Sunday after they were delayed by about a month for the Winter Olympics and to help create conditions for a resumption of talks between North and South Korea. The Foal Eagle field exercise, which usually involves combined ground, air, naval and special operations troops, will continue for a month. The computer-simulated Key Resolve will be held for two weeks starting in mid-April. A Pentagon spokesman said in March the two joint drills would involve about 23,700 U.S. troops and 300,000 South Korean forces. Military officials in Seoul have said the scale of the exercises would not go … [Read more...] about US, S Korea kick off annual joint military exercises after month-long delay