S. Korea-U.S. joint military drills to begin on April 1st
- 6 years ago
South Korean military authorities announced the schedule for the Seoul-Washington annual joint military drills this morning.
They were to kick off in late February or early March,... but were postponed until after the PyeongChang Paralympics wrapped up.
Let's connect to our Oh Jung-hee who's standing by at the defense ministry in Seoul.
Jung-hee, fill us in.
Mark, the schedules of annual South Korea-U.S. joint military drills -- Key Resolve and Foal Eagle -- have finally been released.
It's been a long wait for us reporters here... as the ministry has been strictly tight-lipped about the specifics of the drills... despite LOTS of speculation.
Take a listen.
"Defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. agreed to resume the annual combined exercises including this year's Key Resolve drill,... the schedules of which were delayed considering the Olympics spirit. The exercises will begin on April 1st and be at a similar level to previous years."
The Key Resolve, a computerized simulation, is to be held for two weeks from mid-April... and Foal Eagle, a field drill, is to last four weeks starting from April 1st.
The United Nations Command has notified Pyongyang of the schedules through the truce village of Panmunjeom... and South Korea also informed the North... through the two Korea's western communication line.
There is a possibility that both drills could overlap with the inter-Korean summit talks slated for late April... depending on the actual date of the talks... and the defense ministry says... the drills will be held just as planned... regardless of that.
Well, there has been speculation that the drills could be shorter and smaller.
What's your take on that after hearing today's announcement, Jung-hee?
You're right.
Today's announcement was focused on the dates of the drills... not really on the contents of the drills.
Whether U.S. strategic assets -- like nuclear-powered submarines or aircraft carriers... or stealth fighter jets -- participate in the drills... really determines how intense the drills are.
But Seoul's military authorities didn't give a clear answer on that, only saying Seoul and Washington are currently discussing the matter.
It's been reported... that the drills may not involve B-1B bombers or nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Also the authorities were reluctant to clarify whether the drills will cover not only defending but also attacking and striking the North's headquarters.
They only answered that... the training will be to counter various types of threats from Pyongyang.
Views are that Seoul hopes not to irritate North Korea... with the ongoing dialogue momentum as well as inter-Korean talks and Washington-Pyongyang talks planned over the next two months.
This has been Oh Jung-hee reporting from Seoul's defense ministry.
They were to kick off in late February or early March,... but were postponed until after the PyeongChang Paralympics wrapped up.
Let's connect to our Oh Jung-hee who's standing by at the defense ministry in Seoul.
Jung-hee, fill us in.
Mark, the schedules of annual South Korea-U.S. joint military drills -- Key Resolve and Foal Eagle -- have finally been released.
It's been a long wait for us reporters here... as the ministry has been strictly tight-lipped about the specifics of the drills... despite LOTS of speculation.
Take a listen.
"Defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. agreed to resume the annual combined exercises including this year's Key Resolve drill,... the schedules of which were delayed considering the Olympics spirit. The exercises will begin on April 1st and be at a similar level to previous years."
The Key Resolve, a computerized simulation, is to be held for two weeks from mid-April... and Foal Eagle, a field drill, is to last four weeks starting from April 1st.
The United Nations Command has notified Pyongyang of the schedules through the truce village of Panmunjeom... and South Korea also informed the North... through the two Korea's western communication line.
There is a possibility that both drills could overlap with the inter-Korean summit talks slated for late April... depending on the actual date of the talks... and the defense ministry says... the drills will be held just as planned... regardless of that.
Well, there has been speculation that the drills could be shorter and smaller.
What's your take on that after hearing today's announcement, Jung-hee?
You're right.
Today's announcement was focused on the dates of the drills... not really on the contents of the drills.
Whether U.S. strategic assets -- like nuclear-powered submarines or aircraft carriers... or stealth fighter jets -- participate in the drills... really determines how intense the drills are.
But Seoul's military authorities didn't give a clear answer on that, only saying Seoul and Washington are currently discussing the matter.
It's been reported... that the drills may not involve B-1B bombers or nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Also the authorities were reluctant to clarify whether the drills will cover not only defending but also attacking and striking the North's headquarters.
They only answered that... the training will be to counter various types of threats from Pyongyang.
Views are that Seoul hopes not to irritate North Korea... with the ongoing dialogue momentum as well as inter-Korean talks and Washington-Pyongyang talks planned over the next two months.
This has been Oh Jung-hee reporting from Seoul's defense ministry.