S. Korea in close consultations with U.S. over joint military exercises: Wi

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.