The Latest: Dunford: US-SKorea drills not being negotiated
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The Latest on the North Korea crisis (all times local):
4:25 p.m.
The top U.S. military officer says the U.S. will not negotiate away its joint exercises with South Korea as long as the threat of an attack by North Korea exists.
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Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford told reporters Thursday that he's advised the U.S. leadership not to dial back on the exercises with South Korea.
Dunford says: "As long as the threat in North Korea exists we need to maintain a high state of readiness to respond to that threat."
North Korea claims the annual drills, scheduled for later this month, are a prelude for an invasion.
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Washington and Seoul say the exercises are defensive in nature and crucial to deterring North Korean aggression.