SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The United States has formally suspended a major military exercise with South Korea that was scheduled for August. President Donald Trump had pledged to stop the "war games" after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Pentagon said Monday that planning has been halted on the August drill but no decisions have been made on any other military exercises with South Korea.

The U.S. and South Korea hold major joint exercises every spring and summer in South Korea.

The spring maneuvers — actually two overlapping exercises called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle — include live-fire drills with tanks, aircraft and warships. About 10,000 American and 200,000 Korean troops usually participate. The drills were held in April this year after a temporary delay to encourage North Korean participation in the South Korean Winter Olympics.

The summer exercise, Ulchi Freedom Guardian, consists mainly of computer simulations to hone joint decision-making and planning. Some 17,500 American and 50,000 South Korean troops participated last year. The drill began in the 1970s.

The exercises help ensure the two militaries, from their top commanders to troops in the field, can work together smoothly and seamlessly in a crisis. Moon Seong Mook, a former South Korean military official, calls the joint drills and the U.S. troops stationed in South Korea the core of the alliance between the two countries. He says the American military presence "wouldn't mean much if the militaries don't practice through joint drills."

Trump, after meeting with Kim on June 12, said stopping the "war games" exercise would save money, "Plus, I think it's very provocative." North Korea has always portrayed the exercises as rehearsals for invading the country, but the U.S. and South Korea have not, until Trump's words, called the exercises a provocation. The allies have insisted the drills are purely defensive, to ensure they would be ready at a moment's notice if the North were to attack the South.

Certain aspects of the exercises and North Korea's responses have been especially sensitive. The U.S. has sent B-1B aircraft from Guam on bombing runs over South Korean ranges, sometimes as a show of force after North Korean missile tests. The U.S. and its allies have called those missile tests "provocations."

South Korean media also reported in 2016 that the spring exercises that year would include training for a "beheading operation" aimed at removing Kim Jong Un and toppling his government in the event of war. North Korea's army said such a plan would be the "height of hostile acts" and its weapons were ready to fire. The alleged decapitation training plan was never confirmed.</s>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The United States has formally suspended a major military exercise with South Korea that was scheduled for August. President Donald Trump had pledged to stop the "war games" after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Pentagon said Monday that planning has been halted on the August drill but no decisions have been made on any other military exercises with South Korea.

The U.S. and South Korea hold major joint exercises every spring and summer in South Korea.

The spring maneuvers — actually two overlapping exercises called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle — include live-fire drills with tanks, aircraft and warships. About 10,000 American and 200,000 Korean troops usually participate. The drills were held in April this year after a temporary delay to encourage North Korean participation in the South Korean Winter Olympics.

The summer exercise, Ulchi Freedom Guardian, consists mainly of computer simulations to hone joint decision-making and planning. Some 17,500 American and 50,000 South Korean troops participated last year. The drill began in the 1970s.

The exercises help ensure the two militaries, from their top commanders to troops in the field, can work together smoothly and seamlessly in a crisis. Moon Seong Mook, a former South Korean military official, calls the joint drills and the U.S. troops stationed in South Korea the core of the alliance between the two countries. He says the American military presence "wouldn't mean much if the militaries don't practice through joint drills."

Trump, after meeting with Kim on June 12, said stopping the "war games" exercise would save money, "Plus, I think it's very provocative." North Korea has always portrayed the exercises as rehearsals for invading the country, but the U.S. and South Korea have not, until Trump's words, called the exercises a provocation. The allies have insisted the drills are purely defensive, to ensure they would be ready at a moment's notice if the North were to attack the South.

Certain aspects of the exercises and North Korea's responses have been especially sensitive. The U.S. has sent B-1B aircraft from Guam on bombing runs over South Korean ranges, sometimes as a show of force after North Korean missile tests. The U.S. and its allies have called those missile tests "provocations."

South Korean media also reported in 2016 that the spring exercises that year would include training for a "beheading operation" aimed at removing Kim Jong Un and toppling his government in the event of war. North Korea's army said such a plan would be the "height of hostile acts" and its weapons were ready to fire. The alleged decapitation training plan was never confirmed.</s>The U.S. Defense Department announced Friday that it had “indefinitely suspended select” military exercises with South Korea less than two weeks after President Donald Trump’s historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.

“To support implementing the outcomes of the Singapore Summit, and in coordination with our Republic of Korea ally, Secretary Mattis has indefinitely suspended select exercises,” Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement referring to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. “This includes suspending FREEDOM GUARDIAN along with two Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises scheduled to occur in the next three months.

The statement left the door open to further suspensions of joint exercises, as talks with Pyongyang progress and as speculation grows that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will make his third visit to the North in the coming week.

“In support of upcoming diplomatic negotiations led by Secretary Pompeo, additional decisions will depend upon the DPRK continuing to have productive negotiations in good faith,” the statement said, using the acronym for the North’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The decision was reached after Mattis, Pompeo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford, and national security adviser John Bolton met to discuss efforts to implement the results of the Singapore meeting, the statement added.

The North has repeatedly called for an end to the joint exercises, blasting them as a rehearsal for invasion.

The Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises are part of the Okinawa-based III Marine Expeditionary Force’s “dedicated effort to learning and sharing tactics” with South Korean Marine Corps, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. It said the exercises focus on “building personal, enduring relationships” and becoming “more proficient partners.”

Trump abruptly said that he would halt “provocative” U.S.-South Korean “war games” after his summit with Kim on June 12. The decision was formally announced by the Pentagon on Monday. South Korea’s Defense Ministry simultaneously confirmed the suspension of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercises. Last year, 17,500 U.S. troops and more than 50,000 South Korean troops joined those drills, although the exercise is mostly focused on computerized simulations rather than field exercises.

The decision, which apparently came without consultations with Seoul or the Pentagon, surprised many in South Korea and the United States who see training as a central pillar of their countries’ decadeslong military alliance dating to the 1950-53 Korean War.

The move has also alarmed Tokyo, which fears the decision could weaken the regional deterrence effect provided by the U.S. military.</s>The US and South Korea have agreed to suspend two training exercises scheduled for the next three months as part of Washington’s drive to de-escalate tension with North Korea, the Pentagon said in a statement. In addition to suspending the drills under the Korean Marine Exchange Program, the Pentagon confirmed that the suspension of Ulchi-Freedom Guardian exercise announced earlier this week would be indefinite. The statement said the suspensions were dependent on Pyongyang’s willingness to continue negotiations.</s>The United States and South Korea have agreed to indefinitely suspend two exchange program training exercises, the Pentagon said on Friday, in the aftermath of the summit earlier this month between Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The exercise known as Freedom Guardian has already been suspended but two Korean marine exchange program training exercises scheduled for the next three months would also be put on ice, a spokeswoman said.

Regarding suspension of the exercises, South Korea’s defence ministry said: “South Korea and the US decided to delay two of KMEP (drills) indefinitely, which was going to take place within the next three months.

“This is a part of follow-up measures after the North Korea-US summit and South Korea-North Korea summit. There could be additional measures should North Korea follow suit with productive cooperation.”

At a news conference after the meeting with Kim in Singapore, Trump announced that he would halt what he called “very provocative” and expensive regular military exercises that the United States holds with South Korea. North Korea had long sought an end to the war games.

Earlier this week, the United States and South Korea said they were suspending planning for August’s Freedom Guardian exercise.

Last year, 17,500 American troops and more than 50,000 South Korean troops joined the Freedom Guardian drills, although the exercise is mostly focused on computerised simulations rather than field exercises.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, played down the significance of suspending the Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises, saying they were relatively minor.

US defence secretary James Mattis met with secretary of state Mike Pompeo, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Joseph Dunford and Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton on Friday, the Pentagon said.

“In support of upcoming diplomatic negotiations led by Secretary Pompeo, additional decisions will depend upon the DPRK continuing to have productive negotiations in good faith,” she added.

Every spring, the United States and South Korea conduct Foal Eagle and Max Thunder drills, both of which wrapped up in May.

The decision to halt military exercises with South Korea baffled allies, military officials and lawmakers. The drills help keep US forces at a state of readiness in one of the world’s most tense flash points.</s>The Pentagon has announced indefinite suspension of select military exercises in South Korea, in compliance with the agreement reached in Singapore between the US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"To support implementing the outcomes of the Singapore Summit and in coordination with senior South Korean officials, Defence Secretary James N. Mattis has indefinitely suspended select military exercises on the Korean Peninsula," chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said in a statement on Friday, Efe news reported.

In addition to the already announced suspension of the joint "Ulchi Freedom Guardian" exercises in August, the Pentagon also cancelled two Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises which were scheduled for the next three months.

The decision was announced after Mattis met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford, and US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Friday.

The statement adds that "additional decisions will depend upon North Korea continuing to have productive negotiations in good faith".</s>WASHINGTON: The United States and South Korea have agreed to indefinitely suspend two exchange program training exercises, the Pentagon said on Friday, in the aftermath of the summit earlier this month between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.



“To support implementing the outcomes of the Singapore Summit, and in coordination with our Republic of Korea ally, Secretary Mattis has indefinitely suspended select exercises,” Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said on Friday.

“This includes suspending FREEDOM GUARDIAN along with two Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises scheduled to occur in the next three months,” White said.

The United States and South Korea earlier this week announced the suspension of planning for Freedom Guardian.</s>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and South Korea have agreed to indefinitely suspend two exchange programme training exercises, the Pentagon said on Friday, in the aftermath of the summit earlier this month between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"To support implementing the outcomes of the Singapore Summit, and in coordination with our Republic of Korea ally, Secretary Mattis has indefinitely suspended select exercises," Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said.

"This includes suspending FREEDOM GUARDIAN along with two Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises scheduled to occur in the next three months," White said.

At a news conference after the meeting with Kim in Singapore, Trump announced that he would halt what he called “very provocative” and expensive regular military exercises that the United States holds with South Korea. North Korea had long sought an end to the war games.

Earlier this week, the United States and South Korea said they were suspending planning for August's Freedom Guardian exercise.

Last year, 17,500 American troops and more than 50,000 South Korean troops joined the Freedom Guardian drills, although the exercise is mostly focused on computerized simulations rather than field exercises.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, played down the significance of suspending the Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises, saying they were relatively minor.

Jim Mattis met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford and Trump's national security adviser John Bolton on Friday, White said.

"In support of upcoming diplomatic negotiations led by Secretary Pompeo, additional decisions will depend upon the DPRK continuing to have productive negotiations in good faith," she added.

Every spring, the United States and South Korea conduct Foal Eagle and Max Thunder drills, both of which wrapped up in May.

The decision to halt military exercises with South Korea baffled allies, military officials and lawmakers. The drills help keep U.S. forces at a state of readiness in one of the world’s most tense flashpoints.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.</s>The United States and South Korea have agreed to indefinitely suspend two exchange program training exercises, the Pentagon said on Friday, in the aftermath of the summit earlier this month between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"To support implementing the outcomes of the Singapore Summit, and in coordination with our Republic of Korea ally, Secretary Mattis has indefinitely suspended select exercises," Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said.

"This includes suspending FREEDOM GUARDIAN along with two Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises scheduled to occur in the next three months," White said.

Regarding suspension of the exercises, South Korea's defense ministry said, "South Korea and the US decided to delay two of KMEP (drills) indefinitely, which was going to take place within the next three months.

"This is a part of follow-up measures after the North Korea-US summit and South Korea-North Korea summit. There could be additional measures should North Korea follow suit with productive cooperation.â€

At a news conference after the meeting with Kim in Singapore, Trump announced that he would halt what he called â€œvery provocativeâ€ and expensive regular military exercises that the United States holds with South Korea. North Korea had long sought an end to the war games.

This week, the United States and South Korea said they were suspending planning for August's Freedom Guardian exercise.

Last year, 17,500 American troops and more than 50,000 South Korean troops joined the Freedom Guardian drills, although the exercise is mostly focused on computerized simulations rather than field exercises.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, played down the significance of suspending the Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises, saying they were relatively minor.

Jim Mattis met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford and Trump's national security adviser John Bolton on Friday, White said.

"In support of upcoming diplomatic negotiations led by Secretary Pompeo, additional decisions will depend upon the DPRK continuing to have productive negotiations in good faith," she added, referring to North Korea.

Every spring, the United States and South Korea conduct Foal Eagle and Max Thunder drills, both of which wrapped up in May.

The decision to halt military exercises with South Korea baffled allies, military officials and lawmakers. The drills help keep US forces at a state of readiness in one of the world‘s most tense flashpoints.

At the Singapore talks, North Korea also agreed to allow the recovery of the remains of soldiers who went missing in action during the Korean War.

On Saturday, the US military began moving caskets to North Korea for the recovery of some remains, the U.N. Command in South Korea said in a statement.</s>The United States and South Korea have agreed to indefinitely suspend two exchange programme training exercises, the Pentagon said on Friday, in the aftermath of the summit earlier this month between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Jim Jong Un.

“To support implementing the outcomes of the Singapore Summit, and in coordination with our Republic of Korea ally, Secretary Mattis has indefinitely suspended select exercises,” Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said on Friday.

“This includes suspending FREEDOM GUARDIAN along with two Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises scheduled to occur in the next three months,” White said.

At a news conference after the meeting with Kim in Singapore, Trump announced that he would halt what he called “very provocative” and expensive regular military exercises that the United States holds with South Korea. North Korea had long sought an end to the war games.

Earlier this week, the United States and South Korea said they were suspending planning for August’s Freedom Guardian exercise.

James Mattis met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford and Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton on Friday, White said.

“In support of upcoming diplomatic negotiations led by Secretary Pompeo, additional decisions will depend upon the DPRK continuing to have productive negotiations in good faith,” she added.

Every spring, the United States and South Korea conduct Foal Eagle and Max Thunder drills, both of which wrapped up in May.

The decision to halt military exercises with South Korea baffled allies, military officials and lawmakers. The drills help keep U.S. forces at a state of readiness in one of the world’s most tense flashpoints
The Pentagon announces the suspension of joint military exercises with South Korea, including the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian and marine training exercises.