Seoul (CNN) The US and South Korea have canceled major war games that have long been a source of tensions on the Korean Peninsula in order to "support diplomatic efforts" with North Korea. In a statement, South Korea said Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and acting US Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan had discussed the summit and expected more "active dialogue between the US and North Korea based on the outcome of the talks." The drills are regularly denounced by Pyongyang where they are regarded as preparations for a potential invasion. The drills have previously been used by North Korea to justify the country's advanced weapons programs. China too has called on the US to cancel the exercises in return for North Korea pursuing denuclearization.

Source: CNN March 04, 2019 02:15 UTC