Seoul hopes for US-N Korea talks after Trump downsizes drills

South Korea yesterday expressed hopes for resumption of diplomacy between the US and North Korea to ease animosities on the Korean Peninsula, as US President Donald Trump’s order to cut military exercises with Seoul caused concerns it might hurt the allies’ readiness against North Korean threats.Trump cited his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the decision, a likely bid to re-engage with Kim, who views US-South Korean military exercises as invasion rehearsals. However, experts say Kim, emboldened by his advancing nuclear arsenal and expanding military cooperation with Russia, is not likely return to talks unless he is assured of serious US concessions. US military vehicles gather to cross a river at a training field in Yeoncheon, South Korea, near the border with