The U.S. Department of Defense says there are currently no additional changes to its previous decision to temporarily suspend and scale down joint military exercises with South Korea to support diplomatic efforts to denuclearize North Korea.
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman made the remarks Friday during a press briefing when asked about possible modification to scheduled exercises this year.
Recalling the statement made by Defense Secretary Mark Esper at the time of the announcement, the spokesman said it was an effort to provide North Korean leader Kim Jong-un some room to continue with negotiations, adding that it was still Washington's hope.
Seoul and Washington suspended or scaled back some joint military exercises last year in order to demonstrate goodwill to North Korea in nuclear negotiations.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
