US Department of Defense: "Scale of ROK-US Joint Exercises Determined Considering Multiple Factors"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The U.S. Department of Defense stated that the scale of the ROK-U.S. joint military exercises can be determined by considering various factors, as these exercises are important for ensuring military readiness, according to a report by Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 19th.

The U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson reaffirmed on the same day, in response to calls for reducing or postponing the ROK-U.S. joint exercises, that "joint military exercises are a key method to ensure the readiness of allied forces" and that "they are intended to maintain alliance readiness to fight at any moment, even tonight."

They added, "The exercises are non-provocative and defensive in nature," and "the scope, scale, and timing of the exercises are determined with consideration of various factors from both countries."

Following Paul LaCamera, the nominee for Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, the U.S. Department of Defense also showed an open stance toward the possibility of reducing the ROK-U.S. joint exercises, similar to the Trump administration, drawing attention.

In a written response submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing on the 18th (local time), nominee LaCamera stated regarding the deterrent role of ROK-U.S. military exercises against North Korea, "Exercises can both deter and provoke," and "If confirmed, I will consult with partners to determine the appropriate scope and scale of exercises designed to provide space to support diplomatic objectives."

Meanwhile, some domestic experts have recently expressed concerns that the ROK-U.S. joint exercises could negatively impact North Korea-U.S. relations and inter-Korean relations.

Lee Ho-ryeong, a research fellow at the Korea Defense Research Institute, predicted at a discussion hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council the day before, "From the first half of this year to the August ROK-U.S. joint exercises, or from after the August exercises to the first half of next year’s South Korean presidential election, North Korea may gradually increase the intensity of its crisis."

Professor Kim Dong-yeop of the University of North Korean Studies also foresaw, "North Korea is likely to gradually raise the level of its military actions in response to the August ROK-U.S. joint military exercises or additional U.S. sanctions pressure."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.