Seoul not considering drills with US as a 'card' to resume talks with Pyongyang: Security adviser

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea is not considering its joint military exercises with the US as a "card" to restart stalled talks with North Korea, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Sunday.

He made the remarks in response to a question about whether Seoul would reconsider its regular drills with Washington to facilitate inter-Korean dialogue, as Pyongyang has rejected Seoul's efforts since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's resumed office six months ago.

"If we are to resume dialogue, we need to consider what cards we can use. While there are many possible options, we are not directly considering using the Korea-US joint exercises as a card," Wi said during a press briefing, according to Yonhap News.

Wi acknowledged that progress in inter-Korean relations has been slow but vowed to keep working toward reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and resuming dialogue with Pyongyang.

Last month, Lee said that while a stable peace regime where large-scale military exercises are not needed would be ideal in the long run, decisions regarding the drills must be based on changing security conditions.

Pyongyang has long denounced the Seoul-Washington exercises as "war rehearsals," while the allies claim they are “defensive” in nature.

Lee has reiterated his call for dialogue after Seoul suggested military talks to clarify the Military Demarcation Line to prevent accidental clashes near the border. However, Pyongyang has not yet responded to the proposal.