WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon said Friday that America's annual military exercise with South Korea has resumed after being stopped as a result of escalating tensions and threats of war from Pyongyang.
In this Sunday, April 15, 2012 file photo, a North Korean vehicle carrying a missile passes by during a mass military parade in Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square to celebrate the centenary of the birth of late North Korean founder Kim Il Sung. (Credit: AP)
David Shear, the assistant secretary for Asia issues, told Pentagon reporters that the exercise was temporarily halted so that the U.S. and South Korea could talk and coordinate over the recent exchange of artillery fire across the border. He said U.S. forces were at an increased security status for the exercise and "are remaining on an enhanced status as part of the exercise and, of course, to insure adequate deterrence on the peninsula."
What can US do if full-scale war breaks out btwn North & South Korea? @GordonGChang weighs in. https://t.co/PSV8xDo0SP
— New Day (@NewDay) August 21, 2015He said the U.S. commander in South Korea decided to pause the exercise after consulting with South Korean military officials. He added that commanders needed to receive briefings about the gunfire situation to make sure that both the U.S. and South Korea had "a mutual understanding of what the situation is."
He said the U.S. is continuing to monitor the situation closely, adding that the U.S. calls on Pyongyang to "refrain from actions and rhetoric that threaten regional peace and stability."
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday declared his front-line troops in a "quasi-state of war" and ordered them to prepare for battle against South Korea in response to an exchange of artillery fire on the border.
The annual exercise began Monday and was slated to end next Friday.
US calls a halt to military exercise with South Korea, originally scheduled to end 28 AUG, @lbaldor reports https://t.co/AptnLCQ2TH
— Defense One (@DefenseOne) August 21, 2015
