S. Korea rules out scaling back joint drills with US to spur inter-Korean ties

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik delivers opening remarks during a briefing on the Lee Jae Myung administration's performance in its first six months at the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan District, Sunday. Sitting in the front row on the right is National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seog

South Korea will not reduce joint military drills with the United States as a means of encouraging talks with the North, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Sunday, despite the government’s efforts to restart dialogue and advance a wider coexistence agenda.

Wi’s comments came during a press briefing at the presidential office, which reviewed the Lee Jae Myung administration’s first six months and outlined its diplomatic record and approach to Pyongyang. His remarks drew added attention amid a growing public debate over whether adjusting the drills could help bring North Korea back to the table.

“We have achieved much in the external diplomatic environment, but not as much in inter-Korean relations,” Wi said, describing the administration’s renewed efforts to reestablish communication with Pyongyang. “There are many options we can consider for restarting inter-Korean dialogue, but joint exercises with the United States are not among the options we are directly weighing."

Wi emphasized that South Korea intends to act as a “pacemaker” in diplomatic efforts, keeping close alignment with Washington, which he said would take a more proactive role as a “peacemaker,” while seeking opportunities to rebuild trust between the two Koreas. He explained that the government plans to initiate a “peaceful coexistence process” for the Korean Peninsula in 2026, presenting the year as a strategic pivot from basic stabilization to meaningful progress on the peninsula.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, front row center, takes part in a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, Sunday. Kim Yong-beom, front row left, presidential chief of staff for policy, and presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, front row right, are also at the press event. Yonhap

“2026 must become a year not only of recovery but a real takeoff. We will work to reopen dialogue with North Korea and put the Korean Peninsula’s peace-coexistence process into full motion. As a pacemaker, we will stay in close coordination with the United States and pursue measures that can build trust between the two Koreas," Wi said during the briefing.

Wi acknowledged that the administration has made little headway in detente over the past six months, noting that Seoul introduced certain tension reduction measures but observed no corresponding actions from Pyongyang.

Still, he argued that the government has strengthened the diplomatic environment in ways that could ultimately support renewed engagement with the North. Since taking office, the Lee administration has stabilized alliance relations with the United States, adopted a forward-looking approach toward Japan and begun steering relations with China toward recovery. He added that Seoul is also quietly seeking opportunities for dialogue with Russia, even if visible progress remains limited.

The national security adviser’s remarks appeared aimed at clarifying the government’s position amid a widening debate in Seoul. In recent weeks, several senior officials, including Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, have suggested that adjusting the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises may be necessary to revive stalled diplomacy with Pyongyang.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks at a forum on inter-Korean relations in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

According to a local media report on Thursday, American diplomatic officials have expressed concerns about such proposals. They recently underscored to Seoul the strategic importance of U.S. Forces Korea and stressed that the Donald Trump administration now views a strong combined defense posture as essential. While Trump had criticized the drills as overly costly during his first term and even suggested suspending them, U.S. officials indicated that his current stance has changed.

Chung has continued to argue that “we cannot hold South Korea-U.S. military exercises and simultaneously expect a North Korea-U.S. summit,” and criticized what he calls “bureaucratic thinking that waits for American approval.”

Wi’s comments on Sunday clearly diverged from that viewpoint and signaled the administration’s intention to pursue inter-Korean engagement while maintaining military readiness and close alliance coordination.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac delivers a presentation, wrapping up President Lee Jae Myung’s six-month performance, at the presidential office in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong used the briefing to describe the government’s next steps after security talks with Washington, saying the National Security Office has formed three task forces to coordinate work on key initiatives, including cooperation on nuclear submarine technology and exploring joint use of enriched uranium.

“The first task force focuses on consultations regarding enriched uranium, the second on nuclear-powered submarines and the third on defense budgeting,” Kim explained.

He added that Seoul is preparing a road map for consultations with Washington and that working-level discussions began this month, with concrete results expected in the first half of next year.

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik also announced that the presidential office will return to Cheong Wa Dae before the end of this year.

“We are closing the Yongsan chapter and moving the presidential office back to where it belongs, at Cheong Wa Dae,” Kang said, noting that the relocation of work facilities is expected to be completed around Christmas.