Ministry of National Defense: "South Korea-US Joint Exercise to Proceed as Agreed; No Changes at Present"

On July 29, the Ministry of National Defense stated that, regarding opinions from some within the government suggesting that the upcoming South Korea-US joint military exercise scheduled for August could be adjusted, "there have been no changes so far."

On the 28th, at the maritime infiltration tactical training ground in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, a joint maritime infiltration training of the Special Warfare Command as part of 'UFS/TIGER' was conducted, where soldiers from the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command and the United States Special Operations Command Korea were engaging in physical training before the exercise. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Lee Kyungho, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, responded to related questions during a regular briefing that day, saying, "The South Korea-US alliance has conducted joint exercises annually to maintain a robust combined defense posture. The South Korea-US joint exercise is an issue that proceeds through mutual consultation in accordance with procedures agreed upon by both countries," clarifying the ministry's position.

Jeong Dongyoung, Minister of Unification, stated the previous day in a meeting with reporters that he would recommend to President Lee Jaemyung an 'adjustment' of the South Korea-US joint military exercise scheduled for mid-next month. He also announced plans to discuss this issue in earnest through a working-level coordination meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).

Minister Jeong also commented on the cold response from Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea and sister of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, to a series of conciliatory gestures from the South Korean side, saying, "As mentioned in Deputy Director Kim's statement, I think the South Korea-US joint exercise in August could become a decisive factor."

Minister Jeong's stance differs somewhat from the opinion expressed earlier by Ahn Kyubaek, Minister of National Defense, during his confirmation hearing. Minister Ahn, when asked about the issue during the hearing on the 15th, stated, "As our country is based on the establishment of the South Korea-US combined defense system, the exercise must be conducted under any circumstances."

Meanwhile, the Presidential Office commented on Minister Jeong's remarks, saying, "A decision will be made after considering the opinions of not only the Minister of Unification but also the Minister of National Defense and other relevant ministries."