Pentagon weighs future of US-S. Korea drills after Trump nixes ‘war games’
WASHINGTON: The US military was looking at ways to ensure American forces in South Korea could still be fully trained and ready, a day after President Donald Trump suspended military exercises in a surprise concession to North Korea.
US officials said it was unclear what types of training involving US and South Korean troops might cross into Trump’s now forbidden zone of ‘ war games.’ But big, joint US- South Korean exercises appeared off-limits under the new guidance.
“Make no mistake, we are going to maintain the readiness of our forces in South Korea,” said one US official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official acknowledged, however, it was still not certain how that was going to happen.
The decision to halt military exercises in South Korea has bewildered many current and former US defence officials, who only learned about it when Trump made his remarks.
They fear it could erode the readiness of US troops in one of the world’s most sensitive military flashpoints who have long prided themselves on being able to ‘fight tonight,’ thanks to heightened training.
Critics, including in Congress, warn that an end to joint US-South Korean drills could also erode the effectiveness of the military alliance between Washington and Seoul. They also balked at Trump’s justification that cutting drills would save money.
A White House National Security Council official said some types of training would continue even after Trump’s announcement.
“There is absolutely no change to our commitment to the defense of South Korea,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding: “Regular readiness training and training exchanges will continue.” — AFP