To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy for the UK not to participate in any further military exercises in the region of the Korean peninsula without prior parliamentary approval; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
14 September 2017
As one of the 16 historic Sending States to the United Nations Command in Korea, the UK routinely contributes a small number of staff officers to annual joint United States - Republic of Korea exercises. In August 2017, the UK along with Australia, Canada, Columbia, Denmark, New Zealand and the Netherlands participated in Exercise ULCHI FREEDOM GUARDIAN. These exercises are in accordance with the UK's role in upholding the Korean Armistice Agreement, are defensive in nature and demonstrate our commitment to supporting peace and stability on the peninsula. We will continue to provide support to these exercises.