U.S. halts military exercise with South Korea

UPDATE: Military exercise in South Korea resumes amid tensions

WASHINGTON — U.S. defense officials say America's annual military exercise with South Korea has been halted as tensions with North Korea spike and Pyongyang issues threats of war.

The officials say the U.S. is monitoring the situation, but hasn't taken any other military steps. It was unclear if the exercise would resume.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday declared his front-line troops in a "quasi-state of war" and ordered them to prepare for battle against South Korea in response to an exchange of artillery fire on the border Thursday.

The annual exercise began Monday and was slated to end next Friday.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

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