Cheong Wa Dae says reduced joint drills won't delay wartime operational control transfer

Seong Gi-hong, Cheong Wa Dae communications secretary, said Wednesday that a reduction in joint South Korea-US military exercises would not affect the schedule for transferring wartime operational control.

Speaking on Channel A that day, Seong said the government's position is that "the reduction in training must not become an obstacle or cause of delay to the policy direction and schedule of the operational control transfer."

On Donald Trump's order to scale back the exercises — which became known through a Truth Social post — Seong said, "It seems to be President Trump's distinctive style."

Asked about the possibility of a North Korea-US summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November, Seong said the government "hopes that the friendly relationship between the leaders will lead to improvement between North Korea and the United States," adding that Seoul would stay in close communication with Washington.

On whether Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho's resignation would be accepted, Seong said "a decision will be made at the appropriate time." He drew a line on the question of a successor, saying it would not be appropriate to discuss the matter while the incumbent minister remained in office.

Regarding development of the Yongsan Park site, Seong said the government was not considering converting the entire park into housing land, but was reviewing a plan to supply youth housing by making use of some degraded parcels and leftover plots within the site.