US, South Korea Hold Military Exercises

The US and South Korea have commenced their annual military exercises amid rising tensions with North Korea.

At a Glance

U.S. and South Korean troops have started a large-scale military exercise to strengthen defense capabilities against North Korea.
The exercise, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, will last 11 days and includes computer-simulated war games and over 40 types of field exercises.
About 19,000 South Korean military personnel are participating, alongside civil defense and evacuation drills based on North Korean nuclear attack scenarios.
The U.S. has not disclosed the number of American troops involved or whether U.S. strategic assets will be used.
North Korea views the US-South Korea drills as rehearsals for invasion.

US and South Korea Kick Off Military Exercises

U.S. and South Korean troops have started large-scale military exercises to strengthen defense capabilities against North Korea. This exercise, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, aims to enhance readiness against various threats, including missiles, GPS jamming, and cyberattacks. It incorporates lessons from recent armed conflicts.

The exercise will last 11 days and includes computer-simulated war games alongside over 40 types of field exercises, such as live-fire drills. About 19,000 South Korean military personnel are involved, and they will participate in civil defense and evacuation drills designed to simulate a nuclear attack from North Korea.

South Korea and the United States kicked off annual summertime military exercises, seeking to boost their joint readiness to fend off North Korea's weapons and cyber threats https://t.co/J8zJPhfNFu

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 19, 2024

Heightened Tensions with North Korea

This year’s drills come amid heightened tensions and increased military activities from both North Korea and the U.S.-South Korea alliance. North Korea has condemned these types of drills as provocative, with its Foreign Ministry issuing a statement accusing the allies of staging “provocative war drills for aggression.” North Korea justifies its nuclear ambitions as necessary for maintaining the balance of power.

In a recent show of force, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un showcased 250 nuclear-capable missile launchers and called for the expansion of the military’s nuclear program. Last year, during the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests simulating “scorched earth” nuclear strikes on South Korean targets.

Strategic and Tactical Operations

The U.S. has not unveiled the number of American troops involved or whether U.S. strategic assets will be used. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the need for thorough readiness against North Korea. He highlighted the changing nature of warfare, including hybrid forms involving cyber and psychological warfare.

Kim Myung-soo, head of Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicated that North Korea might use the drills as a pretext for provocations. He has instructed troops to monitor the DMZ closely and retaliate immediately if provoked.

Long-standing Military Alliance

The US is a key security ally for South Korea, with about 28,500 US troops stationed in the country. Joint exercises between the US and South Korea have been a long-standing practice. These exercises are designed to ensure the preparedness of both nations in the face of threats from North Korea.

North Korean state media condemned the drills as “dangerous and grave” and previously warned they could trigger a “thermonuclear war.” The psychological warfare tactics of North Korea, including sending thousands of balloons carrying trash into South Korea, add another layer of complexity to the geopolitical tensions in the region.