South Korea backs Trump's bid to revive North Korea nuclear talks but insists security must not slip

South Korea's national security adviser Wi Sung-lac has confirmed Seoul will actively support Trump's push to resume dialogue with Pyongyang, warning that any resumed talks must deliver substantive progress on North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. Wi stressed that confidence-building measures cannot come at the cost of South Korea's defence readiness. The backing comes despite fresh signals that early diplomacy remains unlikely to materialise.

The US, South Korea and Japan will press ahead with their trilateral Freedom Edge military drill from September 7, a five-day exercise off Jeju Island aimed at countering North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities.

Trump last week ordered the Pentagon to cut short the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise with South Korea by six days, in what was seen as a goodwill gesture toward Pyongyang.

North Korea has pledged to hit back against what it described as US hostilities, and has previously condemned the trilateral Freedom Edge drill as a 'reckless show of strength'.