U.S., ROK to 'discontinue' major military exercise: U.S. official

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The U.S. military and Republic of Korea (ROK) are planning to "discontinue" annual large-scale military exercises as President Donald Trump pursues efforts to improve ties with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a U.S. official told AFP Friday.

The comment from the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, came shortly after the conclusion of Trump's second summit with the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, which ended without a formal agreement but with both sides suggesting they will keep talking.

NBC News first reported that the Foal Eagle drills – which usually take place in the spring – would be scrapped, citing two unnamed U.S. defense officials.

Amphibious assault vehicles of the ROK Marine Corps travel during Foal Eagle military drill between the ROK and the United States in Pohang, ROK, April 5, 2018. /VCG Photo

Foal Eagle is the biggest of the regular joint exercises held by the allies and has always infuriated Pyongyang, which condemned it as preparations for an invasion. In the past, it has involved 200,000 ROK's forces and some 30,000 U.S. soldiers.

It overlaps with the Key Resolve exercise.

Since Trump's first summit with Kim last year in Singapore, the U.S. and ROK have scaled back or scrapped several joint military drills, and U.S. bombers are no longer flying over the ROK.

Trump has repeatedly complained that the exercises are too costly.

Sailors from U.S. Navy position a power module during Foal Eagle military drill 2017 off the coast of Pohang, ROK, April 9, 2017. /VCG Photo

NBC reported that the annual exercises would be replaced with "smaller, mission-specific training."

The Republican president, however, has ruled out withdrawing any of the 28,500 U.S. forces based in the ROK.

Source(s): AFP