[Vermont Lt]

That is NOT what they said.

They said that joint exercises within the disputed area would be provocative. (D’uh)

They said that exercises outside of the normal 200 mile boundary are fine.

Obviously, they cannot really do anything out exercises in international waters. However, I do not see how productive it is to hang out in the NORKs face and just provoke them more.

The ROKs were operating in waters that have been disputed for sixty years.

Yes, the guy in the cage (Dum Sung Un) might be crazy, but that doesn’t mean its OK to stand around him and poke him with a stick.

[Sacajaweau]

We have (IIRC) about 28,000 US troops in South Korea and this routine exercise is provocative how??

China better think again about the jerks running N Korea.

[Americanexpat]

We and S. Korea did not sink his naval ship and kill 47 sailors for nothing. We didn't fire a massive barrage of artillery into N. Korea killing for of its citizens. We haven't entered into political agreements and then break them flagrantly. Poke the little bastard harder only make em bleed.

[luvbach1]

They said that exercises outside of the normal 200 mile boundary are fine.

Does china claim 200 miles out as its coastal waters? If so I did not know that.