Seoul hopes for a 'constructive dialogue' between Washington and Pyongyang

South Korea has expressed hope that US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will return to the negotiating table, following Trump’s announcement to scale back joint military exercises underway with Seoul.

In a statement received by AFP, the South Korean presidency said, “The government is closely monitoring the message posted by President Trump on social media and hopes that the friendly relationship between the leaders of the United States and North Korea will lead to constructive dialogue.”

Seoul also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining “close coordination” with the United States regarding its “defensive posture.”

The South Korean presidency clarified in its statement that “South Korea and the United States have maintained close coordination on sustaining a robust joint defensive posture and on their joint training and exercises, and will continue to coordinate closely.”