The U.S. says it will not change plans to hold annual joint military drills with South Korea next month.
 
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters on Thursday the U.S.’ commitment to South Korea and the two countries' relationship are extremely strong. Carney added he has no changes to announce in how the U.S. engages militarily with South Korea as partners or in any of the exercises they take part in.
 
He said Washington’s North Korea policies also remain unchanged, adding the U.S. believes the North needs to avail itself of the opportunity to end its isolation by observing its international obligations and by ceasing to violate UN Security Council resolutions.
 
On Wednesday, North Korea urged South Korea to scrap plans to hold the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises with the U.S. The North called for the drills to be canceled again on Thursday as it proposed the two Koreas take steps to completely halt all actions offending and blaming each other from January 30th.