Regarding Military Exercises With The United States, South Korea: No Decision Yet

Illustration of United States military exercises with South Korea. (Wikimedia Commons/대한민국 Republic of Korea Armed Forces)

JAKARTA - South Korea announced that no decision had been made regarding the planned joint military exercise with the United States, which was originally planned to take place this month.

South Korea's routine military drills with the United States in the spring and summer have been heavily criticized by North Korea, because they are held amid efforts to improve relations between the two Koreas.

South Korea's Defense Ministry said on Monday Seoul and Washington were in talks over the drills but that no decisions had been made.

"We can't comment on his statement, but regarding the exercises, the timing and methods are not final," ministry spokesman Boo Seung-chan said in a statement citing Reuters, Monday, August 2.

"The Allies will decide after considering COVID-19, joint defense posture, wartime operational control transfer plans, and the issue of "supporting diplomatic efforts to establish lasting peace on the Korean peninsula," Boo added.

Illustration of a joint exercise with the United States Marines and the South Korean Army. (Wikimedia Commons/대한민국 Republic of Korea Armed Forces)

Meanwhile, Unification Ministry spokesman Lee Jong-joo, who handles inter-Korean affairs, said the drills should not be a "source of military tension in any case", without elaborating.

The drills have been scaled back in recent years to facilitate talks between North Korea and the administration of former US President Donald Trump, which aim to dismantle Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs in exchange for relief from US sanctions.

But negotiations stalled after Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un failed to reach an agreement at the second summit held on February 28, 2019 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The coronavirus pandemic is also impacting drills, with allies focusing on computerized simulations and minimizing live field training, without mobilizing US-based troops.

Earlier, a top Unification Ministry official said on Friday last week the drills should be postponed to help restart nuclear talks. However, Lee declined to comment when asked if the ministry planned to make a formal recommendation.

Lee said last week South Korea proposed the establishment of a video conferencing system to speed up inter-Korean dialogue and approved plans for two civilian aid groups to send humanitarian aid to North Korea.

Illustration of the United States military with South Korea. (Wikimedia Commons/Rep. of Korea/Defense Photo Magazine)

For information, Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Joong-un issued an ultimatum related to South Korea's plan to hold joint military exercises with the United States (US) this month.

As quoted by Reuters on Sunday, August 1 from KCNA, Kim Yo-jong said the joint exercise plan would undermine plans to repair and rebuild relations between the two Koreas.

He also mentioned that the agreement to restore the hotline between the two countries last week should not be seen as anything more than reconnecting 'physical' relations, and it would be "unwise" to assume a summit between the two countries is imminent.

"Our government and military will continue to watch whether South Korea continues its aggressive war games, or makes major decisions. Hope or despair? It's not up to us," he said.

Earlier, Pentagon spokesman John Supple ruled out the possibility of postponing joint US-Korea military exercises scheduled for August, after dozens of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party (DP) lawmakers asked for a delay.

"There are no changes to the schedule of our planned training events. Military readiness is the top priority of the minister of defense. Our joint military training events are the main method of ensuring the readiness of our joint alliance," Supple told Radio Free Asia as reported by Koreajoongangdaily July 4.