By Park Boram

SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has been in close consultation with the United States over their joint military exercises and will continue to do so in the future, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Tuesday.

Wi's remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a substantial reduction in joint military exercises with Seoul, a move widely seen as an overture for dialogue with North Korea but feared by many here that it may delay Seoul's efforts to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) of troops from the United States.

"Based on the strong South Korea-U.S. alliance, our government has been continuing coordination with the U.S. side on combined exercises and drills between South Korea and the U.S.," Wi told reporters, adding the countries will "continue such coordination in the future."

The national security adviser said Seoul is also stepping up efforts to strengthen its own defense capabilities.

In a social media post, Trump also said that he had recently asked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung whether Seoul would like to join the effort to denuclearize Iran, and was told, "No thanks."

Addressing the remarks, Wi said Seoul has been actively participating in international discussions aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz from the start, as well as global non-proliferation efforts.

The government has also been reviewing options for making practical contributions to such efforts, taking into consideration the country's defense posture on the Korean Peninsula and relevant domestic legal procedures, he said.

On Iran's denuclearization, in particular, South Korea has a "keener interest" than others, Wi stressed, highlighting the country's experience in dealing with North Korea's nuclear ambition in defiance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

pbr@yna.co.kr

(END)

  • BTS' V reveals hearing loss, Jungkook performs through shin injury on world tour
  • N. Korea silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end Korean War
  • (2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program
  • Actor Park Eun-bin to release album marking 30-year career

  • Ha Young says 'sincerely sorry' over great-grandfather's pro-Japanese past

  • BTS' V reveals hearing loss, Jungkook performs through shin injury on world tour

  • N. Korea silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end Korean War
  • Trump signs memo permitting foreign shipbuilders to build up to 2 U.S. ships in their shipyards
  • (LEAD) Lee reiterates support for four-year, two-term presidential system

  • (2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program

  • (LEAD) Trump says N. Korea's Kim has responded to his dialogue overture

  • Presidential office expects N. Korea-U.S. leaders' friendship to lead to dialogue
  • (2nd LD) Pentagon says it is 'actively working on executing' Trump's directive on S. Korea-U.S. military drills
  • Son Heung-min's MLS scoring streak snapped at 4 matches
  • (3rd LD) Trump orders Pentagon to 'substantially' reduce S. Korea-U.S. military exercises