S. Korean military mulls rescheduling joint drills during Olympics

S. Korean military mulls rescheduling joint drills during Olympics. November. 24, 2017 09:16. by Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com.

South Korean military is reviewing whether to consult with the United States on delaying the annual South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise so that it does not coincide with the PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The annual Key Resolve and Foul Eagle exercises usually begin in the first week of March and last for about a month.

Next year’s joint military drill appears to take place in the same period as usual. This means the joint military exercise is likely to coincide with the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, which will be held from Feb. 9 to Feb. 25 and Paralympic Games from March 9 to 18.

The United Nations adopted a resolution on Nov. 13, by a unanimous vote that calls on the world to cease all wars and hostilities from Feb. 7, seven days before the opening of the Olympic Winter Games, to March 25, seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Winter Games. Early in November, the United Nations reportedly asked the South Korean military to reschedule the joint military exercise.

“We will take follow-up measures if the government decides to put off the joint drill,” a South Korean military source said. Once the South Korean government makes a decision to delay the drill, it will consult with the United States on the matter.

Some concern that the North could take advantage of the delay, firing nuclear weapons and missiles to throw a wet blanket on the Olympic Games. “We need to make a deliberate decision on whether to delay the drill, as it could lead to another military provocation from the North,” the South Korean military source said.