Debates arise over call to cancel joint military drills

[soryang]

Experts express concerns over weakening of combined nuclear deterrence capabilities

By Jung Da-min Korea Times June Fri Jun 18

A debate has arisen over whether South Korea and the U.S. should cancel their annual joint military exercises scheduled to be held in August, with some government officials and experts ― who advocate engagement with North Korea ― saying Pyongyang will not return to denuclearization talks as long as they continue to be held.

However, others question whether such a cancellation would have any effect at all noting the distinct probability that the North will not take any corresponding actions.

In August, the allies are scheduled to hold the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) command post exercise without the large-scale mobilization of troops. Pyongyang has long denounced such joint military drills, calling them a rehearsal for invasion. In the past couple of years, Seoul and Washington have cancelled or scaled down the exercises, either for diplomatic reasons or, as in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/06/103_310667.html?tw