Hours later, after evident confusion at the Pentagon and across Washington, the White House announced the U.S. military would continue to train with South Korea's but would no longer participate in large joint exercises.
Suspension of the exercises, however, undermines the ability of the U.S., which has treaty commitments to defend the South, to deter North Korea.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries, which operate under a combined command, engage in two sets of annual large-scale exercises. Key Resolve and Foal Eagle are held in the spring, and Ulchi Freedom Guardian takes place in late summer.
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