(LEAD) Seoul in close consultation with U.S. over combined military exercises: security adviser

Seoul is maintaining close coordination with the United States regarding their joint military exercises, according to National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac. This consultation is ongoing and will continue in the future, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's recent order to reduce the number of such exercises. Trump's decision was aimed at fostering dialogue with North Korea, yet many in South Korea feared it may delay the country's efforts to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) of its troops from the U.S. Wi Sung-lac emphasized that, based on the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance, the two nations are committed to continued coordination on combined exercises and drills.

Additionally, Seoul is intensifying its efforts to bolster its own defense capabilities in response to the potential impact of reduced joint exercises on assessing the South Korean military's operational readiness.