Cheong "South Korea-US joint exercises under consultation between both countries"

North Korea's Kim Yo-jong Deputy Director's Statement, Cheong Wa Dae Remains Reserved... "Official Position Is Ministry of Unification and Ministry of National Defense Briefings"

The view of the Blue House from Namsan, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] A key official from the Blue House stated on the 2nd regarding the stance on the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, "As the military authorities have announced, the two countries are consulting while comprehensively considering various situations."

The Blue House remained reserved about North Korean Workers' Party Vice Chair Kim Yo-jong's criticism of the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises in her statement.

The Blue House said, "Please refer to the briefings from the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of National Defense for the official position."

The Blue House conveyed the position that "The inter-Korean communication hotline, restored by an agreement between the leaders, must be maintained for the stability and peace of the Korean Peninsula. Our government will do its best to achieve substantial progress in the Korean Peninsula peace process through inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. dialogues without rushing."