Politics
22:27, 04-Jan-2018
Moon, Trump agree to delay joint military drills during Pyeongchang Olympics
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President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in and his US counterpart Donald Trump agreed to delay joint military drills during the Pyeongchang Olympics, Yonhap reported on Thursday.
The agreement came during a telephone conversation between the two leaders, according to Yonhap, citing the ROK presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
The two leaders also held talks on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and inter-Korean dialogue.
ROK's marines take part in a landing exercise during joint US-ROK military training in 2015. /AP Photo
ROK's marines take part in a landing exercise during joint US-ROK military training in 2015. /AP Photo
Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a brief written statement: "The Department of Defense supports the president's decision and what is in the best interest of the ROK-US alliance," referring to the US defense treaty with the ROK.
The decision pushes back a set of annual military exercises known as Foal Eagle, which normally is held between February and April. Foal Eagle is a series of exercises designed to test the readiness of the two countries' militaries.
The Winter Olympics will begin Feb. 9 in Pyeongchang, ROK.