The U.S. military plans a joint anti-submarine warfare exercise with South Korea in early September, signaling North Korea that Washington is committed to defending its ally, the Pentagon said Wednesday. Spokesman Bryan Whitman said the joint military exercise would be conducted off the western coast of South Korea and was aimed at defending against "sub-surface" attacks. "This exercise certainly sends a clear message to North Korea that the U.S. is committed to the defense of the Republic of Korea. Our commitment is unequivocal," Whitman told reporters. "These exercises are intended to deter North Korea from future destabilizing attacks such as that which occurred with Cheonan," Whitman said, referring to the sinking of a South Korean warship earlier this year which an international investigation blamed on Pyongyang.
