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US, S. Korea Postpone Joint Military Drills After Coronavirus Outbreak

William Gallo

   SEOUL - The United States and South Korea have postponed a series of
   joint military exercises "until further notice," amid a major
   coronavirus outbreak in South Korea.

   In a statement, U.S. and South Korean military officials said the
   decision was "based on the severity of the present COVID-19 situation
   within South Korea."

   "The containment efforts for COVID-19 and the safety of the ROK and
   U.S. service members were prioritized in making this decision," the
   statement said. "The decision to postpone the combined training was not
   taken lightly."

   The announcement comes a day after the U.S. military announced its
   first confirmed coronavirus infection: a 23-year-old male who was
   stationed at a U.S. base near the epicenter of the South Korean
   outbreak.

   At least 25 South Korean civilian military workers and active-duty
   soldiers have been infected. Thousands more have been quarantined on
   South Korean military bases.

   The spread of the virus within military ranks would represent a
   dangerous new component of the outbreak, since many service members
   live in close quarters and share common meals.

   The postponement of the exercises, which were set to start next week,
   temporarily removes an irritant to U.S. relations with North Korea.
   Pyongyang says it views the drills as preparation to invade.

   Several recent U.S.-South Korean military exercises have been modified
   or postponed in order to help facilitate nuclear talks with North
   Korea.

   North Korea has walked away from the negotiations, saying it wants the
   U.S. to relieve sanctions or provide more security guarantees.

   'National survival' in North Korea

   But for now, North Korea appears focused on its own virus prevention
   efforts, which it has called a matter of "national survival."

   North Korea has not reported any infections, but several unconfirmed
   reports suggest the virus has reached the country.

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