US - South Korea may resume large-scale military exercises

Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced that large-scale US-South Korea military exercises could resume. Photo: NHK

Large-scale military exercises between the US and South Korea have been suspended for more than a year in response to North Korea's goodwill gesture of suspending nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests. But after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's tough statement that he would accelerate the development of new strategic weapons in 2020, not excluding long-range missiles, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that resuming large-scale military exercises with South Korea remains an option, depending on Kim's next move.

Mr. Mark Esper affirmed that the US has full force and is always ready to fight. The US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps can “fight tonight” if necessary. In addition, behind the US is South Korea and a broader coalition of allies, capable of stopping any action by North Korea. If suppression fails, the US and its allies are ready to fight and win.

Spring exercises between the US and South Korea will be decided after considering the situation. Photo: CAN

However, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the US still considers a political agreement as the best path to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, the US called on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to exercise restraint and return to the negotiating table. According to Mr. Esper, intelligence information shows that there are no signs that North Korea will conduct weapons tests in the near future.

Mr. Mark Esper's statement was made after the South Korean Ministry of Defense also said that the two countries will continue the spring joint exercises between the US and South Korea, which will be decided after considering the situation (CAN). The spring joint exercises between the US and South Korea, which usually take place in March, will be decided after considering the situation in the region.