yo -- complicate your position? >> i think the relationship between the u.s. military and the republic of korea military is as strong, if not stronger, than it's ever been in its 68-year history. i think the relationship, the strength of the alliance, which is described by everyone as ironclad, is unshakable. it's withstood, you know, unbelievable number of provocations and aggressive behavior and crises over the last 65 years. it has been baptized in fire and blood and it remains ironclad. i have no concerns about the future of our relationship. >> do you think it's critical that we assume military exercises? i think the next major one is scheduled for this spring. >> nsenator, i believe exercise in training are routine activities of militaries across the world, to maintain the readiness of their force in accordance with their national defense strategies. the exercises that are scheduled for this spring, the major exercises, to the best of my knowledge, they are proceeding with planning. that is a future decision to be made by alliance leaders. >> thank you very much. gentlemen, again, thank you for your service to the nation an yo