≡ Bolton Departs For Seoul, Tokyo Amid Trade Row
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has left for South Korea and Japan amid a growing trade dispute between Seoul and Tokyo.
White House National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis said on Twitter Saturday that Bolton departed for Japan and South Korea "to continue conversations with critical allies and friends."
Bolton's departure comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump's comment that he is willing, if needed, to help resolve escalating tensions between Seoul and Tokyo.■[2019.07.21]
≡ S. Korea, US Mull Renaming 'Dong Maeng' Joint Military Exercise
South Korea and the U.S. are said to be considering renaming its joint military drill scheduled for next month.
The allies are set to conduct the "19-2 Dong Maeng" exercise in early August for three weeks, to verify Seoul's operational capabilities for its envisioned takeover of wartime operational control from Washington.
According to military sources, the name of the exercise, meaning alliance in Korean, is likely to be changed in apparent consideration of North Korea.
This comes following last week's warnings from the North's foreign ministry that if the exercise is held, it will affect the working-level nuclear talks with the U.S.■[2019.07.21]
