According to Defense Secretary Mark Esper, the US is open to a possible reduction of further military exercises with South Korea in view of the nuclear negotiations with North Korea. Depending on what diplomacy requires, the exercises could be adjusted, Esper told his ministry yesterday on the flight to South Korea to traveling journalists. Depending on that, more or fewer exercises could be scheduled. Any change will be made in consultation with South Korea and in a way that does not jeopardize common preparedness, Esper said.
Esper did not give details of how far-reaching the changes could be. The two countries had been willing to reduce the scope of joint exercises since 2018 or to completely cancel maneuvers. According to US media reports, they plan to launch a new airspace maneuver next month, but this should be smaller than similar previous exercises.
