Defense Minister Kim Tae-young says the delay of joint military exercises with the U.S. in the Yellow Sea is an adjustment of schedules.

Kim says the date being pushed back will allow the two nations to better plan the drills and make them more meaningful. He was speaking at a news conference after a trilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa.

Kim emphasized the importance of solid preparation as naval forces deployed elsewhere must be integrated and adjusted and a training scenario must be devised. Moreover, Kim says a location in the Yellow Sea deep enough to accommodate the vessels must also be selected.

The minister says that Seoul's role as the lead partner in the joint drills does not mean that Washington is not giving its full support. Instead, he says it indicates that South Korea will take over increased responsibility for the drills and proactively support the U.S. as a military ally.