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THE US MILITARY has indefinitely postponed major joint exercises with South Korea, an official told AFP, acting on President Donald Trump’s pledge to halt the “provocative” military drills following his summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
The move, a significant break in how the US and South Korean militaries have worked together for decades, came even as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that peace efforts still face risks, and insisted sanctions must be maintained until Pyongyang dismantles its nuclear arsenal.
“Major military exercises have been suspended indefinitely on the Korean peninsula,” a senior US official told AFP. Trump on Tuesday had said the US would halt “war games” with its South Korean security ally — but he did not make clear when the freeze would kick in.
US and South Korean forces have been training together for years, and routinely rehearse everything from beach landings to an invasion from the North, or even “decapitation” strikes targeting the North Korean regime.
Pyongyang typically reacts furiously. Following drills last year, the North fired ballistic missiles over Japan, triggering global alarm.
Verifiable denuclearisation?
Trump has sounded a triumphant tone since the Singapore summit, where he and Kim signed a joint statement in which Kim committed “to work toward complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.”
But critics have pointed to the vague wording of the non-binding document, which Trump described as a “deal,” and to concerns among allies about the decision to stop the US-South Korean “war games.”
Speaking on a regional tour to brief South Korean, Japanese and Chinese officials about the historic summit, Pompeo said Washington remains committed to the “complete, verifiable and irreversible” denuclearization of North Korea.
“We believe that Kim Jong Un understands the urgency… that we must do this quickly,” he said of the effort to have North Korea abandon its atomic arsenal.
In Beijing, Pompeo also said China “reaffirmed its commitment” to United Nations sanctions after the foreign ministry suggested earlier this week that the UN Security Council could consider easing the economic punishment against its ally.
“We truly believe that we have a path forward after so many years that can bring peace,” Pompeo told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi before talks with President Xi Jinping.
But, he warned, “there are still risks that we won’t achieve” that goal, and more work needs to be done.
Any reduction in tensions on its doorstep is welcome for China, which accounts for around 90 percent of Pyongyang’s trade.
Speaking alongside Wang, Pompeo said the UN resolutions have mechanisms for sanctions relief “and we agreed that at the appropriate time that those would be considered,” stressing that any relief would come only after “full denuclearisation.”
Wang said China has a “firm commitment” to denuclearisation but that North Korea’s “legitimate” concerns must be addressed.
North Korean state media reported Wednesday that Trump had not only offered to stop military exercises during the dialog, but also to lift sanctions imposed on Pyongyang — causing concern in Tokyo and Seoul.
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Great news and a wonderful concession to build trust. We have had enough wars from the establishment and war-mongering from the MSM – Enemy of the People.
Thank you Mr. President. Many of us in Ireland are praying for your success in bringing us peace.
@Leakin’ James Comey: would bet your not in Ireland
@Leakin’ James Comey: speak, out of your arse, for yourself hon not the rest of us
@Graham: I said “many of us” Graham. I am perfectly aware that there is a vocal minority who would like to see failure and a war killing millions.
@DrRexButts: I always address the leader of the Free World in that manner. I believe it conveys respect, regardless of whether he reads it or not.
@Leakin’ James Comey: Go watch love island. I think you would understand it more.
@man.over.board: Thanks for the suggestion. I can see how my messages of love and peace would lead to a suggestion like that. Thanks again.
By the way, what would you suggest for the haters and war mongers on here? Maybe Schindler’s List might awaken some empathy within them.
@Leakin’ James Comey: Surely you’re aware that something akin to Schindler’s List is ongoing in famine-ridden North Korea as we speak, under the ‘leadership’ of the man Trump has buddied up with?
Nah, better to take the simplistic view that no war means everything is fine. Everything is not fine.
Nobody wants war, obviously, but cosying up to ghastly dictators to prevent it isn’t exactly a masterstroke in diplomacy.
@ihcalaM: It’s just a starting point. As trust builds and North Korea opens up and begins to take its place amongst the nations of the world, we will see great change for the famine-ridden people of North Korea. What other choice do we have?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
@ihcalaM: By the way Malachy, I wouldn’t be against the forceful removal of Kim and regime change if this doesn’t work out. In fact, I’d be a strong advocate of that as a very last resort. But while there is a sliver of hope that we can get this done through peaceful means, I will support that effort wholeheartedly.
@Leakin’ James Comey: very well put…a fantastic meeting.
@Leakin’ James Comey: That’s all fine in theory.
However, Trump’s meeting could end up consolidating Kim’s power for generations to come, and opening up the country may be a lot tougher than you suggest.
We have no idea how this will impact the country yet. It could backfire massively, worsening the situation for the millions of Koreans who have to live under that sicko.
Cautious optimism is as good as it gets here. Nobody should be heaping praise on Trump yet seeing as we haven’t a notion how this decision to engage will turn out.
Kim 1 – dotard 0
@Dave Thomas: This looks like it could finally be the tipping point of Trump plunging the region into chaos, if I was South Korean I would be very worried. Kim is laughing his ass off at how easy it was to dupe Dotard.
For nothing but words in return
@Ian McNally: and a photograph.
@Larry Doyle: Don’t underestimate how much Kim wanted that photo.
It has effectively granted his regime of terror international legitimacy which they have craved for decades.
Literally handed to them for nothing by a fool.
Look at all these cynical, negative nancy ClintonBots. Swarming the comment section and flooding it with spam and upvoting comments, en masse. Pathetic. Good job Trump, acting quick so Kim will be receptive and appreciative! His recent Nobel peace prize nomination by Norwegian law makers is well deserved,despite the haters and losers :-)
@DrRexButts: I’m a robot, I don’t care if my boss isn’t happy. I have not been programmed to feel emotions. Though I do like you. Beep beep
@DrRexButts: Watt?
Which baby will throw toys out of pram first ?
Those American troops might be needed in Europe soon if Erdogan acts on his not so veiled threats .
https://www.rt.com/news/429345-erdogan-war-christians-muslims/
@Before its too late:
Do you expect us to believe that Turkey is going to invade the EU?!
@DrRexButts:
It’s unlikely that Turkey is going to invade the EU but, if that was to happen, America would have no option but to intervene because most of the members of the EU are also in NATO. Trump would be removed from office if he refused to intervene in the event of that scenario becoming real.
@Ciarán Masterson: They’d be stupid to do it with a conventional army . But they seem to be well underway with the invasion if you actually read the second article .
Turkey has invaded Europe before , but under the name of the Ottoman empire , something Erdogan has shown his fondness to see return .
http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/10/23/turkeys-religious-nationalists-want-ottoman-borders-iraq-erdogan/
@DrRexButts: Looks like they were charged . I don’t think Trump has much say in who gets charges laid against them , if he did we wouldn’t be reading journal articles on it every other day .
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/world/middleeast/turkish-guards-washington-attack.html
@DrRexButts: Newsflash…hilliary didn’t get elected.I appreciate that hurts but get over it
@DrRexButts: Yep ! That must be the reason alright . I bet when he told the New York DA to drop charges she said , anything you say Mr President , but should I continue with the investigation into you ?
@DrRexButts: I wish the guards had been charged to the full extent of the law , Turkey is turning into a dictatorship , and has little regard for the sovereignty of other nations .
@DrRexButts: Look into the case of Andrew Brunson , it’s a bargaining chip to get him released from Turkish prison .
Played like a fool
@bmul:
Maybe you should ring him and tell him !!
I mean seriously if you know something you shouldn’t keep it to yourself.
Trump pulls the United States out of a comprehensive verifiable agreement with Iran, that has many checks and verifications that will prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb for the forseable future which was a rock solid agreement that Obama and the European union along with others negotiated, then he heads off to meet Kim for a summit to get north Korea to denuclarise, kim says he will and Trump believes him because Trump has a feeling it will get done, it is the most dumbest amateur thing any US president could possibly do, in this agreement he didn’t even get verifications that Kim would do it, Any serious politician or anyone with conflict deplomacy skills will tell you this is doomed to failure. Trump is a total embarrassment to his country.
@Tom Ryan: The Americans who voted for Trump will realise the stupidity of their actions within their own life-time and will be deeply ashamed for electing a despotic dictator.
@John McQuaid: a despotic Dik for sure but not a Diktator.
@John McQuaid: In a democracy , Dictators don’t get elected .
@Before its too late: actually they do when the full electorate don’t come out and cast there votes
@Tom Ryan: Even if only 20% of the population turned up to vote , the judicial system and constitution of a democratic country prevent an elected leader from doing what they want .
If they unilaterally shut down those systems , then he/she has become a dictator .
@Before its too late: But Trump attacks the system of checks and balances on near daily basis.
Its not inconceivable that, after Kim Jong Un fails to follow through with taking any significant measures to end his nuclear program, and Trump gets mocked for having got played, Trump will insist on some form of military action against North Korea, potentially starting WW3
@thenightmancometh: People should be well aware that there is no middle ground in this. It’s either war or peace. Failure means war, irregardless of whether Trump gets mocked or not….
@Leakin’ James Comey: The real people who are suffering are the ones who live under the Norths brutal regime .
@Before its too late: True, and hopefully this bright start will work to drive change from within as the North takes its place among the nations of the Earth.
Only Dems and their supporters would see these exercises being suspended as a negative.
Trump, supposedly the “Master Negotiator” gives Kim a massive concession and gets absolutely nothing in return. NK have played this card so many times in the past, it’s unbelievable that anyone still falls for it. Give NK something substantial for a promise that they “may” do something in the future. It appears a little flattery will get you anything you want from Trump. A pure and true narcissist.
@Mick Jordan: Think about it for a minute .The money America will save by calling off the exercises , they have not promised any food aid like Obama did and the sanctions are still in place .
If America had sent more troops to Korea , idiots would be saying he’s a war monger , he stops the “provocative” exercises , and he’s an idiot .
@Before its too late: The South Koreans footed the majority of the bill. And those exercises are necessary to maintain the combat readiness of the combined Southern Forces. Nowhere have NK declared the War over, nor have they declared a reduction in the size of their military forces. They haven’t even agreed a solid commitment to remove their nukes. They have given zero and gained a major concession.
The method to determine “complete, verifiable and irreversible” denuclearization has not been written into the signed agreement. But it’s key to making a deal. Without it there is no deal – just a vague promise. Not to worry though: Donnie Doofus will cancel the non-deal now that Kim has stabbed him in the back by releasing footage of Doofus saluting the North Korean military officer. What a joke. What a buffoon. What a dotard. Nobel Prize for stoooooopid maybe?
Well. Of course.
Yawn
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