U.S., S.Korea agree to delay military exercises to secure "safe, successful" 2018 Winter Olympics

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The White House said Thursday that the United States and South Korea agreed to delay their joint springtime military exercises to ensure the security of the upcoming 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The agreement were reached during a telephone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in earlier on Thursday.

During their talk, the two leaders agreed to "de-conflict the Olympics and our military exercises" so that the countrie "can focus on ensuring the security of the Games."

Vowing to be "committed to a safe and successful 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang," Trump also told Moon that the United States will send a high-level delegation to the Olympics.

The two leaders also discussed the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, agreeing to "continue the campaign of maximum pressure" against Pyongyang.

The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, said on Monday that Pyongyang is willing to talk with Seoul on its possible participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In his New Year speech, Kim also said the two sides should reduce the highly tense military confrontation to create a peaceful environment for reconciliation.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula remained volatile throughout 2017, as the DPRK conducted its sixth nuclear test and test-fired several ballistic missiles, and the United States conducted large-scale military drills in South Korea and in waters around the peninsula by sending aircraft carrier groups, strategic bombers, nuclear submarines, and other strategic assets there.

Washington has maintained its so-called "maximum pressure" against the DPRK, yet so far the strategy has not achieved its expected results.

China on Wednesday said it hopes all parties concerned can adhere to the spirit of an Olympic truce resolution and create sound conditions for the 2018 Winter Olympics, which are scheuled for Feb. 9-25.

The Winter Paralympic Games will run from March 9 to March 18. Enditem