The United States and South Korea commenced their annual joint military drills on Monday, with this year’s exercises focused on countering the nuclear-armed North, including preparations for cyberattacks. Known as the Ulchi Freedom Shield, the exercise will run until August 29, featuring drills designed to address realistic threats across multiple domains, including North Korean missile strikes and GPS jamming, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
These drills aim to enhance the allies’ ability to deter and defend against weapons of mass destruction. Approximately 19,000 South Korean troops will participate across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains. The U.S. participation details remain undisclosed.
North Korea, known for its provocations, has recently floated balloons carrying trash across the border and attempted to jam South Korean GPS signals in retaliation against anti-regime propaganda sent by South Korean activists. In response, Seoul is conducting civil defense exercises to prepare for potential future drone attacks and other threats.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, addressing the heightened tensions, remarked on the “most reckless and irrational North Korean provocations and threats” in the world. He noted the ongoing low-grade provocations, such as GPS jamming and trash balloon launches.
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Pyongyang has historically viewed US-South Korea drills as rehearsals for invasion and often retaliates with weapons tests. Just last year, North Korean state media warned that such drills could lead to a “thermonuclear war,” and the regime responded by launching cruise and ballistic missiles.
As the drills proceed, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, led by Kim Myung-Soo, are on high alert for potential provocations from Pyongyang, urging troops to monitor the DMZ closely and respond decisively to any threats.
The United States, South Korea’s primary security ally, maintains about 28,500 troops in the country to safeguard against threats from its nuclear-armed neighbor. Joint military exercises between the two nations have been a longstanding component of their defense strategy.
