Peace activists call for suspension of US-South Korea war games

SEOUL:US-South Korea military drills planned to run for 9 days in March should be cancelled, peace activists told hundreds of participants in an online forum. They highlighted the risk posed by the war games, and pointed out the drills had been cancelled before, leading to talks and a reduction in tension.

North Korea views the drills as a rehearsal for invasion, which have in the past included gaming a nuclear attack by the US, and the direct targeting of leader Kim Jong Un.

US President Joe Biden is still in his honeymoon period just a few weeks in office, and North Korea has remained patient as it seeks talks on relief from US-led sanctions over its nuclear weapons program. The concern is that joint US-South Korea military drills may damage prospects for future negotiations.

North Korea has previously conducted nuclear or long range missile tests within weeks of a new US president taking office. In a 2018 deal with the Trump administration, North Korea suspended its long-range missile and nuclear weapons testing, but activists say Pyongyang has so far received little in return.

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