US suspends select-exercises with S-Korea to support N-Korean diplomatic negotiations
US Defense Secretary James Mattis has announced to have "indefinitely suspended" select exercises with South Korea to support diplomatic negotiations with North Korea. The Pentagon made the announcement in accordance with the US President Donald Trump's decision to stop the joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump's decision, after a historic summit with Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12, was hailed by N-Korea.
Suspension includes two Korean marine exchange programme training exercises
Yesterday, Mattis met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford, and Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Ambassador John Bolton to discuss efforts to implement the Singapore Summit results. This includes suspending "Freedom Guardian" along with two Korean marine exchange programme training exercises scheduled to take place in the next three months.
Additional decisions to be taken by North Korea
Pentagon's Chief Spokesperson Dana White said in support of upcoming diplomatic negotiations led by Pompeo, additional decisions will depend upon North Korea continuing to have productive negotiations in good faith.
