DOD: Korean Peninsula exercises 'long-planned,' 'critical component of readiness'

The Pentagon says joint exercises on and around the Korean Peninsula will continue to ensure U.S. forces remain ready for conflict, despite China's call for a so-called "freeze-for-freeze" agreement as the best way to achieve a diplomatic solution with North Korea.

President Trump yesterday rejected a freeze-for-freeze agreement under which the North would freeze its nuclear weapons program in exchange for the United States and South Korea halting military exercises on the peninsula, and he said China agreed with him, the Associated Press reports.

But a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said today the idea, also called the "dual suspension" proposal, is "the most feasible, fair and sensible plan in the present situation," Reuters reports.  

While not addressing the efficacy of the proposal, chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White told reporters today the joint exercises "are long-planned" and aim to reassure U.S. allies in the region.

"Our exercises are long-planned and our exercises are about reassuring our partners and our allies," White said during a Pentagon press briefing.

The exercises are not aimed at provoking North Korea or any other country in the region, added Joint Staff Director Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., who said the drills "are a critical component of readiness" for U.S. forces.

"They also exercise a powerful deterrent effect by the fact that they're occurring," he said.

Earlier this week, the United States wrapped up a three-carrier strike force exercise in the Sea of Japan involving the aircraft carriers Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), Nimitz (CVN-68) and Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and their associated strike groups. It marked the first time three carriers had drilled together in 10 years.

McKenzie said today the carrier strike groups had completed the exercise and disaggregated.