US Defense Secretary James Mattis (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The US Department of Defense on Friday announced the cessation of the exercises, which include the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian exercise along with two Korean Marine Exchange Program training exercises scheduled for the next three months.   

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Friday decided to extend sanctions against North Korea for one more year due to what he called an unusual and extraordinary threat from North Korea's nuclear program. The decisions were out 10 days following the June 12 summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.