City
Epaper

US, S.Korea to skip joint annual air drill

By IANS | Updated: November 3, 2019 11:10 IST

South Korea and the US were expected to skip a joint winter-time air exercise just as they did last year to support ongoing diplomacy for the denuclearization of North Korea, a source said on Sunday.

Open in App

Military authorities of the two countries "shared the understanding" on the postponement of the Vigilant Ace air exercise that usually takes place around December, Yonhap News Agency quoted the source as saying, adding that a final decision would be made when the two countries hold annual defense ministers talks later this month.

"Instead, the two sides are considering conducting their own air drills in December," he added.

Seoul and Washington have cancelled several combined exercises since last year amid peace efforts involving North Korea to avoid provoking Pyongyang with maneuvers it has condemned as a rehearsal for a war of invasion.

Launched in 2015 under the name of Pen-ORE (Peninsula Operational Readiness Exercise), Vigilant Ace drill was held annually until 2017 by mobilizing a large fleet of aircraft from the allies.

During the 2017 exercise, the allies mobilized around 270 aircraft, including radar-evading fighter jets such as F-22s, F-35As and F-35Bs in a show of force against North Korea, which had launched a series of nuclear and missile provocations.

"The suspension of the exercise will be one of the items defence ministers from the two countries will discuss during their planned meeting in mid-November," another source added.

Efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula have been underway, though negotiations between the US and North Korea on the latter's nuclear weapons programme have not made much progress for months.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

BusinessRepo Rate Cut Triggers FD Interest Drop, But Post Office Still Offers Highest 7.5% Return

EntertainmentArvind Kejriwal calls 'Maharani Season 4' must watch show, says it shows "ugly reality" of politics

EntertainmentMeghan Trainor calls out people who "attack" her after 60-pound weight loss

NationalThree held for cricket betting at Kolkata's Eden Gardens

InternationalUK plans "most far-reaching" asylum overhaul, may extend settlement wait to 20 years

International Realted Stories

InternationalAfghan Police seize illicit drugs, arrest 21 smugglers

InternationalBrunei, Singapore advance ties on agri-tech food zone

InternationalUN OCHA warns funding shortage could disrupt humanitarian operations in Afghanistan

InternationalIran says West renewing nuclear talks push after 'failed' military strikes

InternationalSouth Korea PM urges safety measures after Seoul river bus accident