The U.S. Defense Department says that no part of an annual joint South Korea-U.S. military drill includes exercises in North Korean airspace.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told a daily news briefing that he is not aware of any component of the Key Resolve or Foal Eagle exercises which requires flying either Korean or U.S. aircraft into North Korean airspace.

Pyongyang announced Thursday that it could not ensure the safety of South Korean flights using North Korean airspace above the East Sea, particularly during the joint military exercises set to begin on Monday.

Morrell says that current meetings between general-level officials of North Korea and the U.N. Command, including one scheduled for Friday, are the first of their kind to be held in a number of years. He said Washington is hoping the meetings will provide an opportunity to build enhanced trust.