Trump contradicts US military stance on Korea war games

SouWthASKHoIrNeGaTOapNpe—arePdrestoidenKtoDreoannalpdaTrtrnuemrsp.’s abrupt annsotuantecemmeenntt thawt ehlecowmililnsguspceanudghUt.So.ffmigluitardy.dSrielolsuli’ns catch the Pentagon and the The next scheduled major “positive news” from presidential office told The Seoul government flatfooted, exercise, known as Singapore, but it remained Associated Press that it was and it contradicted Ulchi Freedom Guardian silent on whether Ulchi trying to parse Trump’s a pillar of Defense Secretary and involving tens of thousands Freedom Guardian will comments. The South Korean Jim Mattis’campaign of troops, normally proceed. Mattis’ chief military seemed similarly to make U.S. troops more is held in August. spokeswoman, Dana W. surprised. com bat -r eady. “We will be stopping the White, told reporters he was “At this current point,

During a news conference war games, which will save “in full alignment” with there is a need to discern following his summit us a tremendous amount of Trump and had been consulted the exact meaning and intent Tuesday with North Korean money, unless and until we in advance on all of President Trump’s leader Kim Jong Un, Trump see the future negotiation aspects of the Singapore comments,” Seoul’s Defense pushed his unconventional is not going along like it t al k s. Ministry said, adding that approach even further by should,” Trump said in “There were no surprises,” there have been no discussions calling annual U.S.-South Singapore. “But we’ll be she said. yet with Washington Korean military exercises saving a tremendous If Mattis was aware on modifying drills “provocative.” He also said amount of money. Plus, I that Trump was going set for August. he’d like to remove all think it’s very provocative.” to announce a suspension A degree of confusion 28,500 U.S. troops stationed In a later interview with the of military exercises, arose after Vice President in the South, although Voice of America, Trump he apparently did Mike Pence spoke to senators he made clear this said the North Koreas were not share that information at a lunch closed to was an option for the future, “very happy” about his decision with the South media coverage. Sen. not a part of current to freeze the exercises Koreans or with the Cory Gardner, Republican negotiations. “because it is so provocative.” military organization of Colorado, said Pence

The U.S. has stationed most directly affected: indicated that “exercises combat troops in South In the wake of Trump’s U.S. Forces Korea. will continue,” although Korea since the end of the unexpected, almost offhand That U.S. command said Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky 1950-53 war and has used comments to reporters, the it had “received no updated Republican, said this referred them in a variety of largescale Pentagon had nothing to guidance on the execution to routine, daily drills designed to say about the future of the or cessation of training training in South Korea, not sharpen skills and test war games. Several hours exer ci ses.” the large-scale war games troops’ ability to operate after Trump’s remarks, the The South Korean government that Trump said are suspended. effectively with their South Pentagon put out a brief also appeared