The presidential office on the 17th said it expects the friendly relationship between U.S. and North Korean leaders to lead to meaningful U.S.-North Korea dialogue, launching discussions to advance peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. It also said it will continue to make the necessary diplomatic efforts as a pacemaker under close South Korea-U.S. coordination.
◇ Combined training was also reduced or abolished on Trump's orders 8 years ago
Earlier, President Trump wrote on Truth Social the previous day (local time) that, considering it was too late to cancel, he had ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to drastically scale back the combined exercise. He also said that given that North Korea Chairperson Kim Jong-un and he have a very good relationship, he does not like the fact that the United States agreed long ago to participate in combined military training with South Korea, calling it an entirely inappropriate and hostile signal.
The South Korea-U.S. combined exercise is training that the South Korean and U.S. governments have conducted annually to secure deterrence against North Korea. After President Trump held a summit with North Korea State Affairs Commission Chairperson Kim Jong-un in June 2018 and abruptly declared a halt to combined training, major combined drills were in fact scaled back or abolished. Therefore, the possibility of a situation similar to 8 years ago recurring is being raised.
In response, the presidential office said the two countries have closely coordinated on maintaining a firm combined defense posture and on combined exercises and training, and will continue to cooperate on specifics related to this going forward.
It continued that the government has actively taken part in international discussions to achieve a cease-fire in Iran and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and said it is closely discussing with the U.S. practical, military contribution plans, taking into account readiness on the Korean Peninsula, domestic legal procedures, and other factors.