We start with the Security Consultative Meeting,... or S-C-M,... the annual top defense dialogue between South Korea and the U.S. that took place in Washington on Wednesday.
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the S-C-M, since the annual meeting was launched back in 1968,.. to play a key role in fine tuning alliance-related matters.
We connect our defense ministry correspondent Park Ji-won.
Jiwon, South Korea and the U.S. agreed to maintain the Combined Forces Command, United Nations Command and US Forces Korea, even after the transfer of wartime operational control is completed in the near future?

That's right, Mark.
South Korea's Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and his U.S. counterpart James Mattis signed a strategic guideline on combined defense.
They agreed that the Combined Forces Command between the two countries will continue as the post-OPCON transition Combined Forces Command,.. to maintain the allies' combined defense posture.
The Combined Forces Command will have a South Korean four-star general or admiral leading it,.. while an American general or an admiral will serve as the deputy commander of the post-OPCON transition CFC.
They also agreed to continue to maintain the United Nations Command,... which has functioned as a guardian of the armistice agreement for the past 65 years,... preventing an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
The two confirmed U.S. Forces Kores will also continue to be stationed in Korea,.. even after the OPCON transfer is completed sometime in the near future.
The allies also agreed to further strengthen their mutual cooperation in other issues, such as regional security issues, cyber and space security.

And Jiwon.
A decision on the joint air defense exercise Vigilant Ace was finally made?

Yes, Mark.
During the meeting, Seoul and Washington agreed to suspend this year's Vigilant Ace,... originally scheduled to be held in December.
The move is aimed at supporting and strengthening current diplomatic efforts to negotiate with North Korea.
Mark, and next year's SCM will take place in Seoul.
That's all I have for now, and will bring you more updates.
Back to you Mark.