S. Korea seeks US military drill delay for Olympics

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in has proposed to delay annual joint military exercises with the US that coincide with next year's Winter Olympics, as he sought to relieve tensions on the Korean Peninsula during the mega-sporting event.

Moon's comments were the first confirmation that Seoul is seeking to postpone the annual Key Resolve and Foal Eagle drills, which usually start in late February or early March and run until the end of April, according to AFP.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the "double suspension" formula it proposed will be beneficial to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula, in response to Moon's announcement.

The South Korean leader's move is also seen as a sign of goodwill to encourage the DPRK to participate in the Olympics.

South Korea will host the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang from February 9 to 25 next year, with the Paralympics scheduled to begin on March 9. But the host area is just 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of the tense border with the nuclear-armed DPRK, and tensions tend to rise during the drills, which Pyongyang condemns as rehearsals for invasion.

Moon told US television channel NBC that the two allies were considering postponing the exercises. "I have made such a proposal to the US and the US is now reviewing it," he said on his way to Pyeongchang to promote the Games.

"However, it will all depend upon how North Korea (DPRK) will behave."

US President Donald Trump (L) and South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in (R) walk on the grounds of South Korea’s presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, November 7, 2017. / ‍VCG Photo

He also expressed hope the Olympics will help ease tensions running high over Pyongyang's relentless nuclear and missile tests.

Games organizers and Seoul are both keen for the DPRK to take part in what they have proclaimed as a "peace Olympics", but Pyongyang's participation in sporting events in South Korea has largely depended on the political and military situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Pyongyang has so far given no indication whether it will send its athletes -- two pairs of figure skaters have qualified -- to Pyeongchang.

Last month, South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon warned Pyongyang could deliver a "fatal blow" to the Olympics if it launches a missile or stages another provocation before the event.

But Moon said: "Foreign tourists coming for the Pyeongchang Winter Games won't need to worry about security. I don't think North Korea (DPRK) will do anything that may undermine the Olympics. "

"Everything is now in place and I hope these Olympics will serve as an opportunity to help ease tension with the North (DPRK)," he added.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in (R) shakes hands with US President Donald Trump (L) during a joint press conference at the presidential Blue House on November 7, 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. /VCG Photo

But conservative opposition parties reacted angrily, saying that delaying the drills would weaken the country's defense.

"This amateurish government is risking national security and rattling the South Korea-US alliance," a spokeswoman for the main opposition Liberty Korea party told journalists.

Yoo Seung-min, the leader of the Bareun Party, a splinter opposition group, said that security should take precedence over the Olympics.