19 June 2018•Update: 19 June 2018
By Safvan Allahverdi
WASHINGTON
The Pentagon on Monday confirmed the suspension of a major joint military exercise with South Korea shortly after President Donald Trump vowed to end “war games” during his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"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’,” Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana White said in a statement.
White also noted that additional actions are being considered and the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State and the National Security Advisor will be meeting over the issue later this week.
Trump made the announcement on the suspension of joint military exercises during the unprecedented summit Tuesday on Singapore’s Sentosa Island, where he and Kim signed a “comprehensive” deal in front of international camera crews, starting the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula.
Despite Seoul and Washington insisting for years that they were defensive in nature, Trump made a sharp U-Turn and vowed to end the "provocative" exercises as a concession to Pyongyang.
Pyongyang has repeatedly condemned the series of annual U.S.-South Korean military drills, complaining they are rehearsals for an invasion.
