US, South Korea agree to delay military drills

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

The U.S. and South Korea have agreed to postpone previously scheduled military exercises that were to take place during the Winter Olympics next month.

The White House confirmed the decision in a readout of a telephone call between President Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-In.

"The two leaders agreed to de-conflict the Olympics and our military exercises so that States and Republic of Korea forces can focus on ensuring the security of the Games," the White House said in a statement.

"De-conflict" is jargon meant to infer that the schedules have been separated.

The Foal Eagle military exercises usually include thousands of South Korean and U.S. troops, and regularly include air, ground and sea operations.

South Korea will host the Winter Olympics beginning Feb. 9 that will run through the 25th of the month.

The decision was originally announced by South Korea’s presidential office, also known as the Blue House. It was requested by Moon, according to the South's Yonhap News Agency.

"I believe it would greatly help ensure the success of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games if you could express an intention to delay joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises during the Olympics in case the North does not make any more provocations," Moon told Trump, according to Yonhap.

Thursday also saw the Koreas make contact via a hotline at their tense border for a second consecutive day, although the South is yet to pin down a date for high-level talks.

The Panmunjom communication channel was reopened Wednesday after a 23-month suspension following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s New Year’s Day address in which he urged Seoul-Pyongyang dialogue.

While South Korea is keen to ensure a peaceful Winter Olympics and Paralympics in PyeongChang, the North remains hostile to the U.S. -- threatening again this week to launch a nuclear attack on the American mainland if necessary.

During their call, Trump and Moon agreed to continue "the campaign of maximum pressure against North Korea and to not repeat mistakes of the past", the White House said.

"The United States and the Republic of Korea are committed to a safe and successful 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang," the executive mansion added.

It also said Trump has agreed to send a high-level delegation to the Games.