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The US And South Korea Put Off Military Drills Until After Olympics

The decision comes after North Korea opened a key communication channel with South Korea.

The US And South Korea Put Off Military Drills Until After Olympics
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The U.S. and South Korea agreed Thursday to postpone one of the world's largest military exercises until after the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

The decision comes after North Korea reopened a key communication line with South Korea, and the two countries expressed interest in high-level talks.

The joint military exercise known as Foal Eagle is held yearly, usually between February and April. The North considers the annual operation an invasion rehearsal.

North Korea May Have Hit One Of Its Cities With A Ballistic Missile
North Korea May Have Hit One Of Its Cities With A Ballistic Missile

North Korea May Have Hit One Of Its Cities With A Ballistic Missile

According to a report from The Diplomat, an intermediate-range ballistic missile launched in late April crashed in the city of Tokchon.

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A statement from the White House says the U.S. and South Korea want to "de-conflict the Olympics" so the two countries can focus on security for the games.

And U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told reporters the military exercise had just been moved to after the Paralympic Games end as a "practical matter."