Ministry of National Defense: "Close ROK-US Coordination for Second Half Joint Command Post Exercise"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 27th that there will be no "Field Training Exercise (FTX)" during the upcoming second half of the year ROK-US Combined Command Post Exercise expected in August, stating, "There has been no field training exercise in past second half combined command post exercises."

At the regular briefing on the same day, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Bu Seung-chan responded to a question asking for the Ministry's stance on the ROK-US combined exercises by saying, "The first half command post exercise included FTX."

He added, "Regarding the second half combined command post exercise, nothing has been finalized yet in terms of timing, scale, or method of the exercise," and said, "We are in close consultation with the United States."

Spokesperson Bu further explained, "The decision will be made comprehensively considering the COVID-19 situation, maintaining combat readiness posture, creating conditions for wartime operational control transfer, and diplomatic support efforts for complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and permanent peace settlement."

Regarding speculation that a large-scale outdoor field training exercise might be possible for the first time in three years due to the U.S. policy of providing COVID-19 vaccines to the ROK military, he replied, "The nature of the exercise is not determined solely by vaccination; all relevant conditions are considered and decided upon through agreement between the ROK and the U.S."

Military authorities are reportedly planning to verify the Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the Future Combined Forces Command during this second half combined exercise and set the target year for the transfer of wartime operational control.

Some argue that the FOC verification should include field training exercises involving both U.S. Forces Korea and overseas U.S. forces. However, there are also many voices advocating for adjusting the scale of the second half combined exercise to support diplomatic efforts for denuclearization and peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula.

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