US military: ‘No updated guidance’ on ending war games with South Korea

A U.S. military spokesperson said on Tuesday that forces on the Korean peninsula have not received any updated guidance on ending training exercises with South Korea. 

“[U.S. Forces in Korea] has received no updated guidance on execution or cessation of training exercises – to include this fall’s schedule Ulchi Freedom Guardian,”  Lt. Col. Jennifer Lovett said, according to Reuters.

{mosads}“In coordination with our ROK partners, we will continue with our current military posture until we receive updated guidance from the Department of Defense and/or Indo-Pacific Command,” she continued.  

The statement comes after President Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday in Singapore. 

Trump announced after his summit with Kim that U.S.-South Korean military exercises would end during negotiations with North Korea. 

The president also said that Pyongyang agreed to destroy a “major” missile testing site after he and Kim signed a joint statement making a broad commitment for the U.S. to provide North Korea with “security guarantees” in return for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

“President Trump committed to provide security guarantees to [North Korea], and Chairman Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” Trump and Kim said in a joint statement at the conclusion of the summit. 

The document does not provide details on how the U.S. will guarantee North Korea’s security, nor does it lay out the steps North Korea will need to take to denuclearize.

Trump denied making any concessions during the meeting with his North Korean counterpart.