South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday (Sep 18) ruled out sending troops or military assets into the Iran war, saying Seoul would protect its interests without entering the conflict. He added that it was “clear” that US President Donald Trump wants dialogue with Pyongyang. This comes amid reports suggesting that Seoul was considering a possible role in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has been disrupted since the war began in the Middle East. The disruption of the key route has sent oil prices across the globe to record highs.“There will be no involvement or intervention in the war. We will not deploy troops or military assets in that manner,” Lee told reporters at a press conference at the presidential Blue House.Lee said South Korea would instead focus on protecting its merchant ships, oil shipments and citizens. Seoul would “carry out the minimum necessary activities” for that purpose, while maintaining its existing principle of non-involvement.“We have upheld the principle of non-involvement and non-intervention in the war until now,” Lee said. “And we will continue to uphold it going forward.”Trump has criticised Seoul over what he viewed as a lack of support for the Iran war. His administration also scaled back major joint military exercises with South Korea this summer, a decision that raised concerns among the US ally.<h2>Trump ‘clearly’ wants talks with Kim</h2>Lee also said Trump “clearly” wants to resume dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has so far not clearly responded to the US president’s overtures.“Trump wants dialogue, and I am also urging President Trump to engage in dialogue,” he said.Last month, Trump said that he planned to meet Kim later this year and stressed the importance of being able to “get along” with the North Korean leader.Seoul is continuing “preliminary coordination efforts” to facilitate talks between Washington and Pyongyang, Lee said, although he acknowledged that such a meeting “remains difficult... but is not impossible.”<h2>US ties face difficult negotiations</h2>Lee also said negotiations over South Korea’s $350 billion US investment commitment remained “very complex and difficult”.While the two sides were reportedly close to an agreement, Lee said he found some terms “difficult to accept” and that discussions were continuing.

South Korea rules out sending troops to the Iran war as Lee says Seoul will protect its interests. He also says Trump wants dialogue with Kim Jong Un amid strained US-South Korea ties.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday (Sep 18) ruled out sending troops or military assets into the Iran war, saying Seoul would protect its interests without entering the conflict. He added that it was “clear” that US President Donald Trump wants dialogue with Pyongyang. This comes amid reports suggesting that Seoul was considering a possible role in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has been disrupted since the war began in the Middle East. The disruption of the key route has sent oil prices across the globe to record highs. “There will be no involvement or intervention in the war. We will not deploy troops or military assets in that manner,” Lee told reporters at a press conference at the presidential Blue House. Lee said South Korea would instead focus on protecting its merchant ships, oil shipments and citizens. Seoul would “carry out the minimum necessary activities” for that purpose, while maintaining its existing principle of non-involvement. “We have upheld the principle of non-involvement and non-intervention in the war until now,” Lee said. “And we will continue to uphold it going forward.” Trump has criticised Seoul over what he viewed as a lack of support for the Iran war. His administration also scaled back major joint military exercises with South Korea this summer, a decision that raised concerns among the US ally. Trump ‘clearly’ wants talks with Kim Lee also said Trump “clearly” wants to resume dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has so far not clearly responded to the US president’s overtures. “Trump wants dialogue, and I am also urging President Trump to engage in dialogue,” he said. Last month, Trump said that he planned to meet Kim later this year and stressed the importance of being able to “get along” with the North Korean leader. Seoul is continuing “preliminary coordination efforts” to facilitate talks between Washington and Pyongyang, Lee said, although he acknowledged that such a meeting “remains difficult... but is not impossible.” US ties face difficult negotiations Lee also said negotiations over South Korea’s $350 billion US investment commitment remained “very complex and difficult”. While the two sides were reportedly close to an agreement, Lee said he found some terms “difficult to accept” and that discussions were continuing.

South Korea rules out sending troops to the Iran war as Lee says Seoul will protect its interests. He also says Trump wants dialogue with Kim Jong Un amid strained US-South Korea ties.

‘We will not deploy troops’: Lee rules out South Korea role in Iran war, says Trump ‘clearly’ wants talks with Kim

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday (March 13) after South Korea’s parliament approved a special bill supporting Seoul’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the United States. Kim’s office said the brief meeting in Washington came a day after the South Korean legislature passed the measure, enabling the government to move forward with its investment commitment under a bilateral trade agreement reached between the two countries last year.&nbsp;Earlier in January, Trump had voiced frustration over delays in passing the bill, warning that the United States could raise its “reciprocal” tariff on South Korea to 25 per cent from 15 per cent if the legislation stalled. During their meeting, the two leaders were expected to discuss several bilateral matters, including Seoul’s investment strategy and additional agreements outlined in a joint fact sheet released in November covering trade and security cooperation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-forces-totally-obliterate-military-targets-in-iran-s-crown-jewel-kharg-island-trump-claims-in-new-truth-social-post-1773444263312">US forces totally obliterate military targets in Iran’s crown jewel 'Kharg Island': Trump claims in new Truth Social post</a>&nbsp;The talks could also include efforts to revive diplomacy with North Korea. Speculation has grown that Trump might try to reopen dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a reported visit to China scheduled for late March to early April. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Trump have both indicated their willingness to resume engagement with Pyongyang, though it remains unclear whether North Korea will respond positively to such overtures.&nbsp;At a ruling party congress last month, Kim Jong-un said North Korea would have “no reason not to get along with the US” if Washington abandoned what he described as hostile policies, adding that future US–North Korea relations depend entirely on the United States approach. However, Pyongyang has shown little interest in resuming dialogue with South Korea.

Trump and South Korean PM discuss $350 billion investment deal, tariffs, and North Korea

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday (March 13) after South Korea’s parliament approved a special bill supporting Seoul’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the United States. Kim’s office said the brief meeting in Washington came a day after the South Korean legislature passed the measure, enabling the government to move forward with its investment commitment under a bilateral trade agreement reached between the two countries last year. Earlier in January, Trump had voiced frustration over delays in passing the bill, warning that the United States could raise its “reciprocal” tariff on South Korea to 25 per cent from 15 per cent if the legislation stalled. During their meeting, the two leaders were expected to discuss several bilateral matters, including Seoul’s investment strategy and additional agreements outlined in a joint fact sheet released in November covering trade and security cooperation. Also Read: US forces totally obliterate military targets in Iran’s crown jewel 'Kharg Island': Trump claims in new Truth Social post The talks could also include efforts to revive diplomacy with North Korea. Speculation has grown that Trump might try to reopen dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a reported visit to China scheduled for late March to early April. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Trump have both indicated their willingness to resume engagement with Pyongyang, though it remains unclear whether North Korea will respond positively to such overtures. At a ruling party congress last month, Kim Jong-un said North Korea would have “no reason not to get along with the US” if Washington abandoned what he described as hostile policies, adding that future US–North Korea relations depend entirely on the United States approach. However, Pyongyang has shown little interest in resuming dialogue with South Korea.

South Korea’s PM Kim Min-seok met Donald Trump after Seoul approved a $350 billion US investment bill, with talks also touching on tariffs and possible North Korea diplomacy

North Korea on Friday (Jan 5) said that it had carried out naval artillery live-fire exercises as a "natural response and countermeasure" to South Korean drills, condemning Seoul's claim that it had threatened peace on the Korean Peninsula, state media reported.

Pyongyang's drills did "not even have any indirect impact on Baengnyeong Island and Yeonpyeong Island", where residents were told to evacuate by local authorities, according to KCNA's report.

South Korea had on Friday told civilians on Yeonpyeong Island, located about 115km east of Seoul in terms of aerial distance,&nbsp;to evacuate after North Korea fired around 200 artillery shells off its west coast.

"About 200 shots were fired by North Korea (near) Yeonpyeong Island," a defence ministry official said at a briefing.

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Yeonpyeong local officials told news agency AFP that civilians had been asked to evacuate.

Hours later, South Korean defence ministry described it as a&nbsp;"provocative act" and urged North to stop, warning Seoul would take "appropriate measures" in response.

The shells reportedly splashed into the maritime buffer zone north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border between both Koreas in the Yellow Sea.

Also watch |&nbsp;North Korea: Allies pushing region into brink of Nuclear War

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The buffer zone was set under an inter-Korean military accord signed on Sept&nbsp;19, 2018, to reduce border tensions.

"We gravely warn that the entire responsibility of such crisis-escalating situations lies with North Korea and strongly urge for its immediate halt," JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun said in a press conference.

"Under close coordination between South Korea and the United States, our military is tracking and monitoring related activity, and will conduct corresponding measures to North Korea's provocations."

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-us-conduct-week-long-wargames-near-north-korea-border-676450">South Korea, US conduct week-long wargames near North Korea border</a>

<h2>South Korea stages live-fire drills on border island</h2>

South Korean marines on the border island of Yeonpyeong conducted live-fire artillery drills on Friday (Jan 5), as per the Yonhap news agency reports.&nbsp;

This came hours after North Korea staged an artillery barrage in the area.

The troops held "live-fire artillery drills with K9 self-propelled howitzers," Yonhap said, the first such drills in the area since both countries dropped a military accord in November.

(With inputs from agencies)

North Korea on Friday (Jan 5) said that it had carried out naval artillery live-fire exercises as a "natural response and countermeasure" to South Korean drills, condemning Seoul's claim that it had threatened peace on the Korean Peninsula, state media reported.

North Korea on Friday (Jan 5) said that it had carried out naval artillery live-fire exercises as a "natural response and countermeasure" to South Korean drills, condemning Seoul's claim that it had threatened peace on the Korean Peninsula, state media reported. Pyongyang's drills did "not even have any indirect impact on Baengnyeong Island and Yeonpyeong Island", where residents were told to evacuate by local authorities, according to KCNA's report. South Korea had on Friday told civilians on Yeonpyeong Island, located about 115km east of Seoul in terms of aerial distance, to evacuate after North Korea fired around 200 artillery shells off its west coast. "About 200 shots were fired by North Korea (near) Yeonpyeong Island," a defence ministry official said at a briefing. Also read | South Korea, US conduct week-long wargames near North Korea border Yeonpyeong local officials told news agency AFP that civilians had been asked to evacuate. Hours later, South Korean defence ministry described it as a "provocative act" and urged North to stop, warning Seoul would take "appropriate measures" in response. The shells reportedly splashed into the maritime buffer zone north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border between both Koreas in the Yellow Sea. Also watch | North Korea: Allies pushing region into brink of Nuclear War × The buffer zone was set under an inter-Korean military accord signed on Sept 19, 2018, to reduce border tensions. "We gravely warn that the entire responsibility of such crisis-escalating situations lies with North Korea and strongly urge for its immediate halt," JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun said in a press conference. "Under close coordination between South Korea and the United States, our military is tracking and monitoring related activity, and will conduct corresponding measures to North Korea's provocations." Also read: South Korea, US conduct week-long wargames near North Korea border South Korea stages live-fire drills on border island South Korean marines on the border island of Yeonpyeong conducted live-fire artillery drills on Friday (Jan 5), as per the Yonhap news agency reports. This came hours after North Korea staged an artillery barrage in the area. The troops held "live-fire artillery drills with K9 self-propelled howitzers," Yonhap said, the first such drills in the area since both countries dropped a military accord in November. (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea says live-fire drills 'natural response' to South Korea threats

South Korea and the United States during talks on Monday revised a bilateral security agreement aimed at deterring North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats, South Korea's defence ministry said.

The Tailored Deterrence Strategy (TDS) is aimed at countering North Korea's nuclear weapons and other arms, according to an announcement on the agreement by the two countries 10 years ago.

South Korea's Defence Minister Shin Won-sik and his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, signed the updated agreement at the security talks in Seoul, the ministry said.

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The revision was considered necessary because the existing strategy did not adequately address rapid advancements in North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, it said.

The Defence Ministry did not immediately specify what had been updated.

Earlier, South Korea's defence ministry said Shin and Austin would discuss jointly countering threats by North Korea, including through executing an "extended deterrence" strategy.

The strategy, which holds that the United States will use strategic military assets, including nuclear forces, to defend its allies, has taken on a greater significance as North Korea pushes ahead with its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

Shin said the two countries have been upgrading security cooperation, including the launch of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) and bolstering the execution of the extended deterrence strategy, Yonhap News reported.

The nuclear discussions are aimed at better coordinating an allied nuclear response during a war with North Korea.

Shin on Monday cited expanded military drills with the United States in recent months as an indication of upgraded strategic cooperation, including the involvement of U.S. strategic bombers and a nuclear ballistic missile submarine, Yonhap reported.

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Recent changes in North Korean and Chinese capabilities and intentions are likely to "dramatically" increase the risk that U.S. and South Korean deterrence could fail within the next decade, and the allies must undertake major steps to strengthen deterrence, the Atlantic Council think tank said in a study last week.

That study, which convened more than 100 experts, found that although an all-out nuclear attack is the least likely scenario, Pyongyang could feel emboldened to escalate with more limited military actions, including possible nuclear strikes.

The Israel-Hamas war and Russia's invasion of Ukraine also cast a shadow over Monday's meeting amid Pyongyang's growing military cooperation with Moscow and questions about the North's support for Hamas militants.

On Sunday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said at a dinner that the allies must stand ready for any provocations by North Korea, including a "Hamas-style surprise attack".

At the reception, Austin reaffirmed that the U.S. commitment to defending South Korea involved the full range of American military capabilities, Yoon's office said.

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The defence meetings come as North Korea is believed to be preparing to launch a military reconnaissance satellite after two failures.

Pyongyang is also accused of shipping munitions to Russia for use in the war with Ukraine in return for technical support to help its weapons programs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a recent summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Russia would help North Korea build satellites, but did not elaborate.

The defence chiefs from South Korea, Japan and the United States agreed on Sunday to start a real-time data-sharing scheme on North Korean missiles in December, South Korea's defence ministry said.

South Korea and the United States during talks on Monday revised a bilateral security agreement aimed at deterring North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats, South Korea's defence ministry said.

South Korea and the United States during talks on Monday revised a bilateral security agreement aimed at deterring North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats, South Korea's defence ministry said. The Tailored Deterrence Strategy (TDS) is aimed at countering North Korea's nuclear weapons and other arms, according to an announcement on the agreement by the two countries 10 years ago. South Korea's Defence Minister Shin Won-sik and his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, signed the updated agreement at the security talks in Seoul, the ministry said. Also Read | Jewish school in Canada’s Montreal targeted by gunfire for second time in a week The revision was considered necessary because the existing strategy did not adequately address rapid advancements in North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, it said. The Defence Ministry did not immediately specify what had been updated. Earlier, South Korea's defence ministry said Shin and Austin would discuss jointly countering threats by North Korea, including through executing an "extended deterrence" strategy. The strategy, which holds that the United States will use strategic military assets, including nuclear forces, to defend its allies, has taken on a greater significance as North Korea pushes ahead with its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Shin said the two countries have been upgrading security cooperation, including the launch of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) and bolstering the execution of the extended deterrence strategy, Yonhap News reported. The nuclear discussions are aimed at better coordinating an allied nuclear response during a war with North Korea. Shin on Monday cited expanded military drills with the United States in recent months as an indication of upgraded strategic cooperation, including the involvement of U.S. strategic bombers and a nuclear ballistic missile submarine, Yonhap reported. Also Read | Five US service members killed after military aircraft crashes during training in Mediterranean Sea Recent changes in North Korean and Chinese capabilities and intentions are likely to "dramatically" increase the risk that U.S. and South Korean deterrence could fail within the next decade, and the allies must undertake major steps to strengthen deterrence, the Atlantic Council think tank said in a study last week. That study, which convened more than 100 experts, found that although an all-out nuclear attack is the least likely scenario, Pyongyang could feel emboldened to escalate with more limited military actions, including possible nuclear strikes. The Israel-Hamas war and Russia's invasion of Ukraine also cast a shadow over Monday's meeting amid Pyongyang's growing military cooperation with Moscow and questions about the North's support for Hamas militants. On Sunday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said at a dinner that the allies must stand ready for any provocations by North Korea, including a "Hamas-style surprise attack". At the reception, Austin reaffirmed that the U.S. commitment to defending South Korea involved the full range of American military capabilities, Yoon's office said. Also Read | Jaishankar extends Diwali greetings to Rishi Sunak, gifts Lord Ganesha idol and Kohli-signed bat The defence meetings come as North Korea is believed to be preparing to launch a military reconnaissance satellite after two failures. Pyongyang is also accused of shipping munitions to Russia for use in the war with Ukraine in return for technical support to help its weapons programs. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a recent summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Russia would help North Korea build satellites, but did not elaborate. The defence chiefs from South Korea, Japan and the United States agreed on Sunday to start a real-time data-sharing scheme on North Korean missiles in December, South Korea's defence ministry said.

US, South Korea revise deterrence strategy over North Korea's nuclear threat

South Korea and the United States kicked off their largest joint military exercises in five years on Monday, after nuclear-armed Pyongyang warned such drills could be seen as a "declaration of war".

Massive Military Drill: US and South Korea Join Forces for Largest Exercise in 5 Years

South Korea said the United States had reaffirmed it would shoulder the cost of deploying the THAAD anti-missile&nbsp;system,&nbsp;days after President Donald Trump said Seoul should pay for the $1-billion battery designed to defend against North Korea.&nbsp; 
 
In a telephone call on Sunday, Trump&#39;s national security adviser,&nbsp;HR&nbsp;McMaster, reassured his South Korean counterpart, Kim Kwan-jin, that the US&nbsp;alliance with South Korea was its top priority in the Asia-Pacific region, the South&#39;s presidential office said. 
 
The conversation followed another North Korean missile test-launch on Saturday which Washington and Seoul said was unsuccessful, but which drew widespread international condemnation. 
 
Trump, asked about his message to North Korea after the latest missile test, told reporters: &quot;You&#39;ll soon find out&quot;, but did not elaborate on what the US&nbsp;response would be. 
 
Trump is stepping up outreach to allies in Asia to discuss the North Korean nuclear threat and make sure all are &quot;on the same page&quot; if action was needed, a top White House official said. The US&nbsp;president will discuss North Korea with the leaders of Thailand and Singapore on Sunday after speaking with the Philippines&#39;&nbsp;president on Saturday. 
 
&quot;There is nothing right now facing this country and facing the region that is a bigger threat than what is happening in North Korea,&quot; White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus told ABC&#39;s &quot;This Week.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Trump&#39;s comments in an interview with Reuters on Thursday that he wanted Seoul to pay for the THAAD deployment perplexed South Koreans and raised questions about his commitment to the two countries&#39;&nbsp;alliance. 
&nbsp; 
South Korean officials responded that the cost was for Washington to bear, under the bilateral agreement. 
 
&quot;National security adviser HR&nbsp;McMaster explained that the recent statements by President Trump were made in a general context, in line with the US&nbsp;public expectations on defence cost burden-sharing with allies,&quot; South Korea&#39;s Blue House said in a statement, adding that McMaster requested the call. 
 
Major elements of the advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system were moved into the planned site in Seonjgu, in the south of the country, this week. 
 
The deployment has drawn protests from China, which says the powerful radar which can penetrate its territory will undermine regional security, and from local residents worried they will be a target for North Korean missiles.&nbsp; 
 
About 300 residents rallied on Sunday as two US&nbsp;Army lorries tried to enter the THAAD deployment site. Video provided by villagers showed protesters blocking the road with a car and chanting slogans such as &quot;Don&rsquo;t lie to us! Go back to your country!&quot; 
 
Police said they had sent about 800 officers to the site and two residents were injured during clashes with them. 
 
South Korea and the United States say the sole purpose of THAAD is to guard against North Korean missiles.&nbsp; 
 
Vice President Mike Pence reaffirmed the US&nbsp;commitment to South Korea&#39;s security but said on NBC that Trump would &quot;continue to call on the prosperous nations that the United States provides security and protection for to do more in their own defense.&quot; 
 
The United States is seeking more help from China, the North&#39;s major ally, to rein in Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear and missile development. Trump, in the Reuters interview, praised Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as a &quot;good man&quot;. 
 
Tensions high 
 
The North has been conducting missile and nuclear weapons related activities at an unprecedented rate and is believed to have made progress in developing intermediate-range and submarine-launched missiles. 
 
Tension on the Korean peninsula has been high for weeks over fears the North may conduct a long-range missile test, or its sixth nuclear test, around the time of the April 15 anniversary of its state founder&#39;s birth. 
 
In excerpts of an interview with CBS News released on Saturday, Trump said the United States and China would &quot;not be happy&quot; with a nuclear test but gave no other details.&nbsp; 
 
Trump discussed the threat posed by North Korea in a telephone call with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, the White House said.&nbsp; 
 
In an address to a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Saturday, Duterte urged the United States to show restraint after North Korea&#39;s latest missile test and to avoid playing into the hands of leader Kim Jong Un, who &quot;wants to end the world&quot;. 
 
Two-month long US-South Korean joint military drills were due to conclude on Sunday, US&nbsp;and South Korean officials said.&nbsp; 
 
The exercise, called Foal Eagle, was repeatedly denounced by North Korea, which saw it as a rehearsal for war. 
 
In a further show of force, the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group arrived in waters near the Korean peninsula and began exercises with the South Korean navy late on Saturday. The South Korean navy declined to say when the exercises would be completed.&nbsp; 
 
The dispatch of the Carl Vinson was a &quot;reckless action of the war maniacs aimed at an extremely dangerous nuclear war,&quot; the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea`s ruling Workers&#39;&nbsp;Party, said in a commentary on Saturday. 
 
The carrier group has just completed drills with the Japanese navy.&nbsp; 
 
Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada, in an apparent show of solidarity with Washington, has ordered the Izumo, Japan&#39;s biggest warship, to protect a US&nbsp;navy ship that might be going to help supply the USS Carl Vinson, the Asahi newspaper said. 
 
(Reuters)

The conversation followed another North Korean missile test-launch on Saturday which Washington and Seoul said was unsuccessful

South Korea said the United States had reaffirmed it would shoulder the cost of deploying the THAAD anti-missile system, days after President Donald Trump said Seoul should pay for the $1-billion battery designed to defend against North Korea. In a telephone call on Sunday, Trump's national security adviser, HR McMaster, reassured his South Korean counterpart, Kim Kwan-jin, that the US alliance with South Korea was its top priority in the Asia-Pacific region, the South's presidential office said. The conversation followed another North Korean missile test-launch on Saturday which Washington and Seoul said was unsuccessful, but which drew widespread international condemnation. Trump, asked about his message to North Korea after the latest missile test, told reporters: "You'll soon find out", but did not elaborate on what the US response would be. Trump is stepping up outreach to allies in Asia to discuss the North Korean nuclear threat and make sure all are "on the same page" if action was needed, a top White House official said. The US president will discuss North Korea with the leaders of Thailand and Singapore on Sunday after speaking with the Philippines' president on Saturday. "There is nothing right now facing this country and facing the region that is a bigger threat than what is happening in North Korea," White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus told ABC's "This Week." Trump's comments in an interview with Reuters on Thursday that he wanted Seoul to pay for the THAAD deployment perplexed South Koreans and raised questions about his commitment to the two countries' alliance. South Korean officials responded that the cost was for Washington to bear, under the bilateral agreement. "National security adviser HR McMaster explained that the recent statements by President Trump were made in a general context, in line with the US public expectations on defence cost burden-sharing with allies," South Korea's Blue House said in a statement, adding that McMaster requested the call. Major elements of the advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system were moved into the planned site in Seonjgu, in the south of the country, this week. The deployment has drawn protests from China, which says the powerful radar which can penetrate its territory will undermine regional security, and from local residents worried they will be a target for North Korean missiles. About 300 residents rallied on Sunday as two US Army lorries tried to enter the THAAD deployment site. Video provided by villagers showed protesters blocking the road with a car and chanting slogans such as "Don’t lie to us! Go back to your country!" Police said they had sent about 800 officers to the site and two residents were injured during clashes with them. South Korea and the United States say the sole purpose of THAAD is to guard against North Korean missiles. Vice President Mike Pence reaffirmed the US commitment to South Korea's security but said on NBC that Trump would "continue to call on the prosperous nations that the United States provides security and protection for to do more in their own defense." The United States is seeking more help from China, the North's major ally, to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development. Trump, in the Reuters interview, praised Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as a "good man". Tensions high The North has been conducting missile and nuclear weapons related activities at an unprecedented rate and is believed to have made progress in developing intermediate-range and submarine-launched missiles. Tension on the Korean peninsula has been high for weeks over fears the North may conduct a long-range missile test, or its sixth nuclear test, around the time of the April 15 anniversary of its state founder's birth. In excerpts of an interview with CBS News released on Saturday, Trump said the United States and China would "not be happy" with a nuclear test but gave no other details. Trump discussed the threat posed by North Korea in a telephone call with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, the White House said. In an address to a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Saturday, Duterte urged the United States to show restraint after North Korea's latest missile test and to avoid playing into the hands of leader Kim Jong Un, who "wants to end the world". Two-month long US-South Korean joint military drills were due to conclude on Sunday, US and South Korean officials said. The exercise, called Foal Eagle, was repeatedly denounced by North Korea, which saw it as a rehearsal for war. In a further show of force, the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group arrived in waters near the Korean peninsula and began exercises with the South Korean navy late on Saturday. The South Korean navy declined to say when the exercises would be completed. The dispatch of the Carl Vinson was a "reckless action of the war maniacs aimed at an extremely dangerous nuclear war," the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea`s ruling Workers' Party, said in a commentary on Saturday. The carrier group has just completed drills with the Japanese navy. Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada, in an apparent show of solidarity with Washington, has ordered the Izumo, Japan's biggest warship, to protect a US navy ship that might be going to help supply the USS Carl Vinson, the Asahi newspaper said. (Reuters)

US has reaffirmed will pay for THAAD missile costs, says South Korea

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North Korea says live-fire drills 'natural response' to South Korea threats

US, South Korea revise deterrence strategy over North Korea's nuclear threat

Massive Military Drill: US and South Korea Join Forces for Largest Exercise in 5 Years

US has reaffirmed will pay for THAAD missile costs, says South Korea