U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron, participate in an elephant walk during Exercise Vigilant Ace 18 at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Dec. 3, 2017. (Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos/U.S. Air Force)
Reuters: U.S., South Korea suspend more drills to bolster North Korea diplomacy
SINGAPORE/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and South Korea have suspended upcoming joint air defense drills to give diplomatic efforts with North Korea “every opportunity to continue,” the U.S. military said on Friday.
The Pentagon said the decision to suspend Exercise Vigilant Ace, which had been scheduled for December, was taken by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, who met in Singapore on Friday.
Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement that the decision had been taken to “give the diplomatic process every opportunity to continue.”
“Both ministers are committed to modifying training exercises to ensure the readiness of our forces. They pledged to maintain close coordination and evaluate future exercises,” White said.
She added that Mattis had spoken with his Japanese counterpart as well on the issue.
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More News On The U.S. And South Korea Suspending Upcoming Joint Air Defense Drills To Give North Korea Diplomacy A Chance
US, South Korea suspend more military exercises -- Military Times
Pentagon Cancels Large-Scale Vigilant Ace Exercise with South Korea -- Military.com
US cancels major military exercise with South Korea -- CNN
US suspends military exercises with South Korea to help North Korea talks -- The Independent
US, South Korea cancel another military exercise -- The Hill
