Letter to the Hon. James Mattis, Secretary of Defense - Seeks Answers from Defense Department on Cancelation of Joint Exercises with South Korea

Letter

Dear Secretary Mattis:

Following the meeting that President Trump held with Kim Jong-Un in Singapore yesterday, it was revealed that exercises with South Korea had been canceled by the President.

As you know, exercises build readiness, expand interoperability, and promote cooperation with the allies and partners. In the Korean context, they are integral to coordination between the Republic of Korea, U.S. Forces Korea, U.S. Forces Japan, and other allies and partners in the region that would be necessary to the national defense should war break out.

It is distressing to hear that the President made a major decision to cancel exercises without consulting South Korea or even, apparently, leadership at the Pentagon. Therefore, in the wake of this decision, please provide clarity to the following questions.

Were you or Deputy Secretary Shanahan consulted before the President made the decision to cancel exercises with the Republic of Korea?
Do you support the decision to cancel exercises with the Republic of Korea?
Under what circumstances will exercises with the Republic of Korea be rescheduled?
Was the Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs, or President of the Republic of Korea consulted before the decision was made to cancel exercises?
Is it still your intention to proactively inform Congress of major changes to defense policy with respect to North Korea, South Korea, and northeast Asian security concerns?

I look forward to your reply no later than 30 days following transmission of this letter. Thank you for your service to the Nation.

Sincerely,

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