Civil society activists call for permanent end to US-South Korea military drills
Frank Smith
Press TV, Seoul
As South Korea and the US wrapped up their joint military exercises, civil society leaders in Seoul called for the suspension of such military drills and an end to the country's military cooperation with Japan.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said North Korea was responsible for current tensions on the Korean Peninsula due to its nuclear weapons, despite new South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeols's references to US extended deterrence.
Press TV correspondent Frank Smith reports from the South Korean capital Seoul.
Civil society leaders gathered outside the American embassy in Seoul to demand the permanent suspension of US-South Korea military exercises. The drills are scheduled to end on Thursday, although routine training takes place throughout the year.
This year’s large-scale joint drills were conducted for the first time in more than 4 years.
“In addition to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's efforts to bolster the military and alliance with the United States, Seoul is working to strengthen ties with Japan. President Yoon's foreign policy advisor this week meets with his US and Japanese counterparts in Hawaii to further coordinate deterrence against North Korea, and discuss other so-called trilateral alliance issues.”
Many South Koreans resent President Yoon’s Japan policy. However, South Korean officials blame North Korea for heightened tensions.
The Yoon administration frequently refers to US extended deterrence of US nuclear weapons in South Korea’s defense. South Korea hosts 28,500 US troops at bases across the country.
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