Seoul: South Korea and the United States have commenced a significant joint military exercise aimed at enhancing defense preparedness against threats from North Korea, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. This annual event, known as the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, will span 11 days, concluding on August 28. It is designed to address "realistic" threats and improve the allies' capabilities across various domains, according to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Approximately 18,000 South Korean troops are expected to participate in this year's drills.
According to Kuwait News Agency, while the scale of this year's exercise is comparable to last year's, nearly half of the 40 planned field training exercises have been rescheduled to September. This adjustment appears to be an effort by South Korea to ease tensions with North Korea. Historically, North Korea has criticized these joint exercises as preparations for an invasion and has often conducted weapons tests in response.
Pyongyang's Defense Minister, No Kwang-chol, issued a statement on August 10 condemning the large-scale exercise, warning that North Korea would exercise its "self-defense" right if provoked.
During a National Security Council meeting in Seoul on Monday, South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung emphasized that the exercise is not intended to provoke North Korea or escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The exercise will coincide with a four-day civil defense drill, engaging approximately 580,000 civilians, focusing on defense strategies against drone and cyberattacks.