S. Korea's defense ministry brushes off possibility of scaling down joint military drills, including UFG

국방부, 연례적 한미훈련 지속실시 방침, 예년수준 유지 Seoul's defense ministry dismissed speculation that the annual joint military drills with Washington could be scaled down. During its regular press briefing session on Monday,... defense ministry spokesperson Choi Hyun-soo was asked whether there would be any changes to this year's combined exercises,... including the ongoing aerial drill Max Thunder,.. and Ulchi Freedom Guardian set for August... considering the current sensitive inter-Korean relations,... but she reiterated they will be conducted as usual.The spokesperson added that the drills are defensive in nature,... and the two sides have not hekd any discussions regarding the possibility of scaling them down.