North Korean soldiers photograph Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, in March as he visits the Joint Security Area inside the Korean Demilitarized Zone. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sean K. Harp/ Army)
CNBC: The Pentagon has no plans to scale back military operations in South Korea after threats from North Korea
* The Pentagon defended the ongoing joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises amid threats from North Korea to withdraw from upcoming talks with President Trump.
* "The scope of our exercises has not changed," chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said, adding that the annual drills are "longstanding and defensive in nature."
* North Korea's state-run Central News Agency said the ongoing joint military drills between the U.S. and South Korea are a "provocation" and a preparation for an invasion.
The Pentagon defended the ongoing joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises Thursday amid North Korean threats of withdrawing from a highly anticipated summit with President Donald Trump next month.
"The scope of our exercises has not changed," chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said, adding that the annual drills are "longstanding and defensive in nature."
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