S. Korea expects joint naval drills with U.S. in July

SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry said Tuesday it expects
to hold joint naval exercises with the United States in July, though an exact
date and location of the planned drills have yet to be set.
Defense ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae told reporters the two sides are still
working on the details of the joint drills, which were originally scheduled for
last month to deter any further North Korean provocations in the wake of
Pyongyang's deadly sinking of a Seoul warship in March.
"Still, the date, location and methods have not been decided, but I think it's
right to say the South Korea-U.S. joint naval drills will be conducted in July,"
Won told reporters.
The spokesman said South Korea could announce details of the drills before next
week's meeting of defense and foreign ministers with the U.S.
The so-called "two plus two" security talks, set for July 21 in Seoul, will bring
together U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert
Gates, and South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and Defense Minister Kim
Tae-young.
"Because the two sides already completed preparations for the planned drills,
they could be able to carry out the drills once the details are announced," Won
said.
Won hinted that South Korea and the U.S. may change the location of the drills,
initially planned in the Yellow Sea, where the Cheonan warship was sunk by a
North Korean torpedo.
Asked about reports that a nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS George
Washington, was heading for the East Sea to join the drills, Won replied, "I
think we need flexibility (about the possible change of location) because the
drills are aimed at showing the strength of our allied forces."
China has expressed its opposition to the drills, saying they could unsettle
regional tensions further.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)

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