BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:40 P.M.) - South Korean Defence Ministry has recently confirmed that the annual joint military drills with the United States have been suspended, in a statement from Seoul on Tuesday.
Choi Hyun-soo, the South Korean Defence Ministry spokesperson, noted that while negotiations between the North Korea, it's southern neighbours and the US were ongoing, suspending drills would "contribute to maintaining such momentum."
She added that South Korea and the US "will continue to co-ordinate additional measures and we have not made any decision on other following exercises."
US President Donald Trump had promised that military drills with South Korea would be put on hold after the historic summit with North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un.
KoreaTranscript:
SOT, Choi Hyun-soo, South Korean Defence Ministry spokesperson (Korean): "Under close cooperation, South [Korea] and the United States have decided to suspend all the plans for the annual defensive drills 'Freedom Guardian' which were to take place in August. Additionally, the two countries will continue to co-ordinate additional measures and we have not made any decision on other following exercises."
SOT, Choi Hyun-soo, South Korean Defence Ministry spokesperson (Korean): "Currently, South-North and North Korea-US talks are ongoing. South Korea and the US made the decision [to suspend a major military exercise planned for August] as we believe this will contribute to maintaining such momentum."
Video and translation credit: Ruptly
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/south-korean-mod-confirms-suspension-of-us-s-korea-military-drills/