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US, S. Korea halt joint military exercises as tensions rise with N. Korea

August 21, 2015
U.S Army soldiers prepare to attend a military exercise in Pocheon, south of the demilitarized zone that divides the two Koreas, South Korea, Friday, Aug. 21, 2015. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday declared his frontline troops in a "quasi-state of war" and ordered them to prepare for battle a day after the most serious confrontation between the rivals in years. ( Yonhap)

U.S Army soldiers prepare to attend a military exercise in Pocheon, south of the demilitarized zone that divides the two Koreas, South Korea, Friday, Aug. 21, 2015. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday declared his frontline troops in a “quasi-state of war” and ordered them to prepare for battle a day after the most serious confrontation between the rivals in years. ( Yonhap)

U.S. defense officials say America’s annual military exercise with South Korea has been halted as tensions with North Korea spike and Pyongyang issues threats of war.

The officials say the U.S. is monitoring the situation, but hasn’t taken any other military steps. It was unclear if the exercise would resume.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday declared his front-line troops in a “quasi-state of war” and ordered them to prepare for battle against South Korea in response to an exchange of artillery fire on the border Thursday.

The annual exercise began Monday and was slated to end next Friday.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.