United States and South Korea are engaging in a joint military drill titled Ulchi Freedom Guardian.
Amidst ongoing threats from North Korea, the United States and South Korea kicked off a joint military drill on Monday. Scheduled to last until August 29, this year's "Ulchi Freedom Shield" operation intends to replicate "authentic threats across all domains," encompassing potential North Korean missile strikes and GPS disturbances, as per South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The drills also seek to amplify defenses against "mass destructive weapons."
Approximately 19,000 South Korean troops are involved in the exercise. The specifics of US involvement haven't been shared. Furthermore, emergency preparedness drills are on the agenda in Seoul, the South Korean capital, to better tackle attacks via North Korean balloons and drones. Over the past few months, Pyongyang has frequently launched balloons packed with propaganda into its neighbor's territory, asserting it as retaliation to South Korean activists' balloons.
The relationship between North and South Korea is presently strained. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared intentions to bolster weapons production, particularly tactical nuclear weapons. This has prompted a strengthening of defense ties between South Korea and the US, including joint military drills. North Korean state media criticized the most recent exercise as "dangerous and serious" on Sunday.
The joint military drill, named "Ulchi Freedom Shield," includes a simulated Military exercise, replicating potential North Korean missile strikes and GPS disturbances. The heightened exercises aim to strengthen defenses against mass destructive weapons.
