The US and South Korea have resumed their suspended joint military maneuvers on a smaller scale today. US President Donald Trump, in his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June, unexpectedly announced that he would „end“ the maneuvers that were always sharply criticized by North Korea.
For about two weeks now, a naval exercise with about 500 troops is taking place in the southern port city of Pohang, according to the Ministry of Defense in Seoul.
For Pyongyang a „provocation“
The US has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea. The two countries have been organizing joint military maneuvers for years, calling Pyongyang „provocation“ and „preparing for an invasion.“
North Korea threatened on the weekend
On Friday, North Korea threatened to resume its nuclear program should Washington not lift the economic sanctions on Pyongyang. Such a change of course could be „seriously considered“, said the North Korean Foreign Ministry.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a television interview that punitive measures remained in effect until North Korea’s nuclear disarmament. Pompeo also announced a meeting this week with North Korean envoy Kim Yong Chol in New York.
