Seoul Firm on Joint Drills Stance
South Korea will not consider adjusting its joint military drills with the United States as a means to resume stalled talks with North Korea, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac announced on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The statement was made during a press briefing where Wi reviewed the Lee Jae Myung administration's first six months in office.
Wi Sung-lac clarified Seoul's position, stating, '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.' This comes despite ongoing public debate and previous suggestions from some officials about the potential for such adjustments to facilitate dialogue.
Stalled Dialogue and Pyongyang's View
Progress in inter-Korean relations has been significantly limited, with dialogue channels remaining cut off. President Lee Jae Myung has repeatedly called for a resumption of talks, including proposing military discussions to clarify the Military Demarcation Line and prevent unintended clashes. However, Pyongyang has yet to respond to these overtures.
North Korea has consistently condemned the joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington, labeling them as 'war rehearsals' and a primary source of regional instability. Despite these criticisms, the allies maintain that the drills are defensive in nature.
South Korea's Diplomatic Approach
National Security Adviser Wi acknowledged the lack of tangible progress in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula but pledged continued efforts to resume dialogue with Pyongyang.
- South Korea aims to act as a 'pacemaker' in diplomatic endeavors.
- This approach involves close alignment with Washington, which Seoul views as a 'peacemaker'.
- The government plans to initiate a 'peaceful coexistence process' for the Korean Peninsula in 2026, marking a strategic shift towards meaningful progress.
Wi also speculated that engagement between the United States and North Korea might precede inter-Korean talks. This perspective highlights the complex interplay of regional and international dynamics influencing the stalled dialogue.
Previous Statements and Context
Last month, President Lee Jae Myung indicated that while a stable peace regime would ideally render large-scale exercises unnecessary in the long term, decisions regarding drills must adapt to evolving security circumstances. He described the issue as 'the most sensitive' for North Korea. Earlier, President Lee had also mentioned the possibility of discussing the coordination of South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises with the U.S. to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea, noting that North Korea considers these exercises a key point of contention.
5 Comments
Africa
I understand why South Korea wants to project strength and uphold its alliance, but North Korea views these drills as a genuine threat. Some level of flexibility could potentially de-escalate tensions without compromising core security.
Bermudez
It's true that South Korea shouldn't be seen as caving to pressure, and the drills are important for readiness. Yet, if the goal is truly peace, perhaps exploring less provocative forms of training could be considered to open a door.
Habibi
The article highlights the difficulty of engaging North Korea when they demand concessions on essential defense exercises. However, a rigid refusal to even discuss the topic might make any future breakthrough even harder to achieve.
ZmeeLove
The need for a robust defense alongside the US is undeniable given North Korea's aggression. Still, completely taking drill adjustments off the table could prolong the current stalemate, making the 'peaceful coexistence process' harder to initiate.
Muchacho
This hardline stance will only worsen the stalemate. No flexibility at all?