ROK set to conduct military exercises amid stalled drills with US

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea will stage two military drills next week amid a thaw in relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which have prompted Seoul and Washington to suspend joint exercises to spur nuclear talks.

The allies agreed last week to halt the Vigilant Ace air defense drills planned for December, after delaying August's major annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercises.

The move was intended to give the ongoing nuclear negotiations between the United States and the DPRK "every opportunity to continue", the Pentagon said.