US and South Korea to hold large-scale military exercises amid DPRK threats
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Next week, the United States and South Korea will commence large-scale joint military exercises involving all branches of their armed forces. The exercises aim to enhance readiness in countering new threats posed by North Korea, citing Yonhap.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercises will take place from August 19 to 29, featuring key computer-simulated command post exercises, alongside concurrent field training and civil defense drills.
This year, the exercises will focus on responding to threats from North Korea across various domains, including missile attacks, GPS signal jamming, cyberattacks, and more, while incorporating lessons from recent global armed conflicts. The allies will prioritize strengthening their capabilities to deter and defend against weapons of mass destruction.
In addition to South Korean and American troops, representatives from several United Nations Command (UNC) member states, responsible for monitoring the ceasefire between Seoul and Pyongyang following the Korean War of 1950-53, will also participate.
Also, North Korea condemns the joint exercises, labeling them as a rehearsal for an invasion of the DPRK. In response, Pyongyang conducts its own military maneuvers or weapons tests. However, Washington and Seoul reject such accusations, emphasizing that their joint exercises are defensive.
Joint US-South Korea exercises
In April, the United States and South Korea conducted joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan to refine their skills in deterring maritime security threats and ensuring safe navigation amidst North Korea’s threats.
South Korea and the United States also conducted joint space exercises aimed at countering North Korean attacks on global positioning systems (GPS) and other space-based threats.
