South Korea's Defense Ministry on Tuesday (June 19) said that they expect a response from North Korea as they agreed to suspend a joint military exercise in August with the United States.
Defence Ministry spokeswoman Choi Hyun-soo, added that South Korea and the U.S. will continue to discuss additional measures but the decisions on other subsequent drills have not been made yet.
Last year, 17,500 American and more than 50,000 South Korean troops participated in the Ulchi Freedom Guardian drills, although the exercise is mostly focused on computerized simulations rather than live field exercises that use weapons, tanks or aircraft.
The U.S.-South Korean exercise calendar hits a high point every spring with the Foal Eagle and Max Thunder drills, which both wrapped up last month. (Reuters)