Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.
Trump's Air Force One lands in Tel Aviv
Al-Qassam: To our free prisoners: Gaza, its Resistance, have given their most precious possessions, have striven with all their might to break your chains; we pledge that your cause will remain at the top of our national priorities until you are all freed.

US, S. Korea discuss boosting drills in response to N. Korea 'threat'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 May 2022 12:24
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

US and South Korea's presidents met on Saturday in Seoul and considered boosting joint military exercises in response to the North Korean "threat".

  • x
  • U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol visit a Samsung Electronics plant on Friday in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. | POOL / VIA REUTERS
    US, S. Korean presidents visiting a Samsung Electronics plant on Friday in Pyeongtaek, South Korea (Reuters)

US President Joe Biden and South Korea's newly sworn-in President Yoon Suk-yeol held a meeting on Saturday in Seoul, during which they said they will consider stepping up joint military drills in response to the North Korean "threat".

Biden noted that any possible meeting with the leader of North Korea "would depend on whether he was sincere."

After Biden's first trip as President to Asia, the two leaders stated that "considering the evolving threat posed by" North Korea, they "agree to initiate discussions to expand the scope and scale of combined military exercises and training on and around the Korean peninsula."

Elsewhere in their statement, the two leaders expressed "concern over the recent Covid-19 outbreak" there and claimed they "are willing to work with the international community to provide assistance" to the country to help fight the virus.

Yoon claimed the offer has nothing to do with "political and military issues."

However, the US and South Korea are committed to North Korea's "complete denuclearization", Yoon said, adding that "nothing is more important than a strong deterrence against the North."

Closed-door talks were held with Yoon ahead of a joint press conference and state dinner.

North Korea's coming step will help steer the US-South Korean relationship under Yoon, former CIA analyst Soo Kim told AFP.

Related News

Pakistan nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize again after Gaza deal

Trump, regional leaders sign Gaza deal in Sharm El-Sheikh summit

"Should Kim proceed with a test during Biden's visit, he will effectively be helping the two countries find greater justification to work together on the North Korea issue," she said.

Biden will be visiting another key US ally, Japan, on Sunday.

According to a US official, in addition to tensions over North Korea and the US-led draconian campaign on Russia over the war in Ukraine, Biden's priority on Saturday was to win Yoon and establish "a strong personal relationship" with him, although he has not completed two weeks into his presidency.

South Korea is seen, just like Japan, as a chief player in US strategy to stand in the face of a rising China and secure what Washington calls the "free and open Indo-Pacific."

The US official, who preferred to remain unnamed, told reporters that the US President's trip to Asia "is about demonstrating unity and resolve and strengthening the coordination between our closest allies".

However, the visit is overshadowed by what the official named "sabre-rattling" across the fortified border in North Korea, which the White House alleges might test either a nuclear-capable missile or explosive to benefit from the high-profile moment.

Cutting-edge investments 

Yoon accompanied Biden on a tour, on Friday, to a Samsung semiconductor factory, where the US President highlighted the Samsung plant's role in maintaining the semiconductors' fragile global supply chain.

He said the chips are an essential component in almost every piece of sophisticated modern technology, and the US and South Korea should work to "keep our supply chains resilient, reliable and secure."

For the US President, snarled supply chains are a critical domestic political challenge, with Americans greatly frustrated due to the rising prices and setbacks after the Covid pandemic recovery.

On Monday, Biden will unveil the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, which is a big new US initiative for regional trade. He will later join a regional summit of the Quad -- a grouping of India, Australia, Japan, and the United States.

  • United States
  • Biden
  • Biden's administration
  • Joe Biden
  • Yoon Suk-Yeol
  • South Korea
  • North Korea
  • Russia
  • China
  • Military exercises

Most Read

The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
'Israel' used fake 3D tunnel footage to justify Gaza genocide: LaSexta
Palestine

'Israel' used fake 3D tunnel footage to justify Gaza genocide: LaSexta

drop site
Politics

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

ap
Politics

SDF, Damascus reach preliminary deal to integrate forces

Palestinians search through the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, on October 12, 2025. (AFP)
Politics

Gaza families return to ruins, searching for their loved ones

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS