By Park Hye Ri and Hahm Hee-eun

Korea and the U.S. have decided to halt the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) joint military exercises slated for August. The UFG is an annual Korea-U.S. command & control exercise for the purpose of maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Seoul’s defense ministry announced on June 19 that, “Following close cooperation, Korea and the U.S. decided to suspend all planning activities for the UFG, the defensive exercise slated for August. Further measures will be continuously discussed between Korea and the U.S.”

Pentagon spokesperson Dana White also said on June 18 that, “Consistent with President Trump's commitment to North Korea and in concert with South Korea, the U.S. military has suspended all planning for the UFG, this August's defensive war games.” She added, “No decision on subsequent war games has been made.”

Cheong Wa Dae also hinted at the possibility of suspending the UFG maneuvers, which are a government-level set of military exercises.

Spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said during press briefing that, “The UFG is now under discussion. The government will choose one of three options regarding the UFG joint military exercises: temporarily halting them, keeping them unchanged or adjusting them, depending on the situation.”


hrhr@korea.kr