I Corps kicks off Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise with South Korean partners last August. This year's exercise, which was planned for August, has been suspended, the Pentagon said on Monday. (Sgt. Maj. Randy Randolph/U.S. Army)
Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, June 19, 2018
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Pentagon announced Monday the suspension of a major military exercise planned with South Korea for August, adhering to President Donald Trump’s vow last week to cease the readiness drills.
"Consistent with President Trump's commitment and in concert with our Republic of Korea ally, the United States military has suspended all planning for this August's defensive 'wargame' (Ulchi Freedom Guardian)," Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said in a statement to the media in the late afternoon. "We are still coordinating additional actions. No decisions on subsequent war games have been made."
Tom Squitieri, of Talk Media News, reports, prior to White's statement, the Pentagon never referred to the military exercises as war games and would correct reporters who used the phrase.
I Corps kicks off Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise with South Korean partners last August. This year's exercise, which was planned for August, has been suspended, the Pentagon said on Monday. (Sgt. Maj. Randy Randolph/U.S. Army)
The U.S. has about 28,500 troops in South Korea; the number fluctuates between 23,000 and 32,000.
Trump made the announcement last week at a press conference following his meeting in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The president called the readiness exercises "war games" and "provocative" -- the same phrases used by North Korea to describe the exercises -- and said they cost too much money.
Pentagon officials have been unable to provide the costs of military exercises in South Korea.
Ulchi Freedom Guardian is a two-week exercise that consists predominantly of computer-simulated defense drills. It was to be held in August.
In her statement, White said Defense Secretary James Mattis will meet later this week with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, the national security adviser, at the Pentagon to discuss the issue.
White also said the decision on Ulchi Freedom Guardian has "no impact on Pacific exercises outside of the Korean Peninsula."
Earlier this year, the Pentagon and the South Korea military postponed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle military exercises until after the Winter Olympics and para-olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. They then were held in April.
Another exercise, Max Thunder, took place in May. All three were less thunderous than in the past.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.