US, South Korea suspends military exercise for diplomatic process with North Korea

The Pentagon and South Korea are cancelling another major military exercise this year, citing a push for diplomatic progress with North Korea.

The top Pentagon spokeswoman, Dana W White, says Washington and Seoul are suspending an air exercise known as Vigilant Ace "to give the diplomatic process every opportunity to continue." That word comes while Pentagon chief Jim Mattis is in Singapore for a meeting of Asian defence ministers.

Vigilant Ace is an annual exercise. It was held last year in December with the US and South Korean air forces.

In June the Pentagon cancelled this year's Freedom Guardian exercise after President Donald Trump abruptly announced that he disapproved of the manoeuvres, calling them provocative and expensive.

Trump made the announcement after meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.