Former heads of the U.S. troops in South Korea have positively assessed the possible delay of joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. to avoid them overlapping with the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.  

The Voice of America(VOA) on Wednesday quoted former U.S. Forces Korea(USFK) Commander Burwell Bell as saying that the postponement is a “legitimate and sound” idea, noting it is not good to conduct military exercises when thousands of athletes from over 100 countries are arriving in South Korea. However, he said the exercises should be carried out “to their full range of requirements” immediately after the closing of the Olympics. 

Former USFK Chief James Thurman also told VOA that it is necessary to consider rescheduling the drills because of the Olympics. However, he also warned against the potential move sending out the wrong message, that is, the two allies are trying to appease the Pyongyang regime, emphasizing that such attempts have never worked before. 

Another former USFK chief John Tilelli also expressed similar views, although underscored that the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises are integral elements of the alliance’s preparedness.