US and South Korea support joint military exercises despite Russian criticism

The United States and South Korea Korea has defended the joint military exercises as essential to maintaining security in East Asia, rejecting criticism from Russia that it has come out in support of North Korea.

"Our long-standing bilateral and trilateral military exercises with the Republic Korea and Japan are aimed at maintaining combat readiness and regional security" – said a US State Department spokesman.

"We also reject unscrupulous allegations that North Korea's missile launches are merely a response to our bilateral and trilateral military exercises,", – the official said on condition of anonymity to Voice of America's Korea Service.

On Tuesday, May 28, the U.S. State Department told Voice of America's Korea Service that it condemns North Korea's launch of a spy satellite. The satellite, launched shortly after the conclusion of a trilateral summit between South Korea, Japan and China in Seoul, exploded in the air about two minutes after launch.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said the joint military drills were a critical defense measure against North Korea. .

The statement was a response to criticism from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding joint exercises that the United States is conducting with its allies.

According to Lavrov, the exercises are worsening the situation in the Asia-Pacific region “until the transition to its hot phase.”

Prepared by: Sergey Daga