The U.S. Department of Defense has reaffirmed that any decision regarding joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. are made through mutual consultation.  

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby issued the position on Monday in a press briefing when asked about China's opposition to the joint exercise. 

Kirby said that as he said many times before, the U.S. makes decisions on the exercises in lockstep with its ally South Korea.  

He added that nothing has changed about the U.S.' need for readiness on the Korean Peninsula and its desire to work together with South Korean allies on a training regimen that improves readiness and keeps it strong.

His remarks come after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a regional forum that the U.S. should not take measures that can raise tensions if it really wants to resume talks with North Korea, in reference to the upcoming drill.