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Korea not mulling joint drills as leverage for inter-Korean talks

Published: 07 Dec. 2025, 20:05

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac speaks at the presidential office in central Seoul on Dec. 7. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

South Korea is not considering adjusting its joint military drills with the United States as part of efforts to resume stalled talks with North Korea, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Sunday.

Wi made the remarks when asked whether Seoul might review the regular exercises with Washington to help revive inter-Korean dialogue, as Pyongyang has dismissed Seoul's overtures since President Lee Jae Myung's first six months in office.

"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-U.S. joint exercises as a card," Wi said during a press briefing.

Wi acknowledged that progress in inter-Korean relations has been limited, pledging continued efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and resume dialogue with Pyongyang.

Last month, Lee said that although a stable peace regime in which large-scale exercises are unnecessary would be desirable in the long term, decisions on drills must depend on evolving security circumstances. He added that it is premature to draw conclusions on the matter, calling it "the most sensitive" issue for North Korea.

Pyongyang has long denounced the Seoul-Washington exercises as "war rehearsals," while the allies claim they are defensive in nature.

Lee has renewed his call for dialogue after Seoul proposed military talks to clarify the Military Demarcation Line to prevent unintended clashes near the border, but Pyongyang has yet to respond.

Yonhap