Beijing: China on Monday advocated for a 'political settlement' between North and South Korea following US President Donald Trump's directive to significantly reduce annual military exercises with South Korea. This move comes as part of efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region, as expressed by China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian during a press briefing in Beijing.

According to Anadolu Agency, the joint military exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) between South Korean and American forces commenced as planned on Monday, amidst rising tensions with North Korea. The drills coincide with South Korea's endeavor to regain wartime operational control from the US, which currently maintains over 28,500 troops in South Korea under a defense agreement. North Korea has historically condemned these exercises as war rehearsals.

Trump announced on Sunday that he had instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to scale back the exercises, citing his rapport with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and the financial implications of the drills. On Truth Social, Trump criticized the exercises as 'costly' and 'hostile,' though noted it was too late to cancel them entirely.

The President's declaration followed a call from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for direct negotiations with North Korea to officially conclude the Korean War, which ended in 1953 with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. President Lee emphasized the need for dialogue to address lingering hostilities and discuss measures to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Despite the challenges, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this year reaffirmed their commitment to denuclearizing North Korea, as stated by the White House. In light of these developments, the South Korean presidential office expressed optimism that Trump's "friendship" with Kim Jong Un might pave the way for renewed diplomatic talks aimed at fostering peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.