US, South Korea to Halt Large-Scale Military Drills to Support Diplomatic Efforts

U.S. Marines (L) and South Korean Marines, wearing blue headbands on their helmets, take positions after landing on the beach during the joint military combined amphibious exercise, called Ssangyong, part of the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle military exercises, in Pohang, South Korea, on March 12, 2016. Kim Jun-bum/Yonhap via AP

Officials from the United States and South Korea confirmed that the two allies will be moving ahead with plans to end two of their largest springtime military drills in favor of more streamlined initiatives.

The Pentagon said in a press release on March 2 that the United States and South Korean defense chiefs had decided to conclude their larger-scale exercises and replace them with more focused training programs.