LOC10:56
07:56 GMT
TOKYO, Dec 11 (KUNA) -- Seoul said keeping the possibility of adjusting joint South Korea-US military exercises open to consultation may help revive dialogue between the US and North Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported Thursday.
"South Korea-US combined exercises are only a means of achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula, not an end in themselves," Unification Minister Chung Dong-young was quoted as saying at a press conference.
"Maintaining a position that (adjusting the exercises) could be subject to discussion could help open the door for US negotiations with North Korea" Chung said.
Chung made the point as both Seoul and Washington look for ways to revive long-stalled dialogue with North Korea to address security concerns stemming from Pyongyang's nuclear weapons development.
Last week, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said South Korea is not considering adjusting its joint military drills with the US as a means of resuming stalled talks with North Korea.
The North has vehemently denounced them as drills for an "invasion." Wi's remarks spawned speculations that there may be a division among key officials at the National Security Council over adjusting the military drills. (end)
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