South Korea and the United States began their annual military exercises on Monday to enhance their preparedness against North Korean nuclear threats following increased tensions due to missile tests and aggressive language from the North earlier this year.
The South Korean and US forces initiated a computer-simulated command post training known as the Freedom Shield exercise and various field exercises for an 11-day duration, as reported by the South Korean Defense Ministry.
Us-South Korea Annual Military Drills
A South Korean K1A2 tank fires during a joint live fire exercise between South Korea and the US at a military training field in Pocheon on January 4, 2024.
In response to joint drills by its adversaries, the North has conducted provocative weapons tests in the past. Last week, South Korea's military announced plans to increase the number of field exercises with US forces this spring. The exercises will include live-firing, bombing, air assault, and missile interception drills.
Since early 2022, North Korea has carried out over 100 rounds of missile tests to upgrade its arsenal while discussions with the United States and South Korea have remained at a standstill for a prolonged period.
As a reaction, the United States and South Korea have broadened their training exercises and boosted the deployment of potent US military assets like aircraft carriers and long-range nuclear-capable bombers. The 11-day drills will combine live exercises with constructive simulations, as stated by United States Forces Korea (USFK) and South Korea's Defense Ministry.
Last week, it was mentioned that the exercises will be centered around preventing the nuclear threats posed by North Korea, according to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-jun. In a statement, USFK mentioned that the drills will cover lessons learned from current conflicts to enhance combat readiness, strengthen defense posture, and promote security and stability in the region.
Aside from Freedom Shield, the two allies are engaging in multiple smaller field training exercises to improve their defense posture and cooperation across various domains, as stated by the USFK.
North Korea has criticized previous US and South Korea joint military drills, but has not issued any official statement regarding the current exercises.
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North-South Korea Escalating Tension
In recent months, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has taken a tougher stance against South Korea, stating that the North will no longer pursue reconciliation and reunification with the South. He has directed the country's army, munitions industry, nuclear weapons, and civil defense sectors to speed up war preparations in response to perceived "confrontation moves" by the US.
Back in January, Kim declared the South as the North's main adversary and unchanging primary opponent, instructing the demolition of a reunification monument in the North Korean capital, as per CNN.
Meanwhile, North Korea has strengthened its relationship with Russia by supplying Moscow with weapons for its conflict in Ukraine. According to Western analysts, Russia may provide technology and expertise to Kim as he develops a nuclear-capable missile program that could pose a threat to his neighbors in East Asia and even the mainland United States with intercontinental ballistic missiles.
This year's military exercises coincide with North Korea's increased weapons testing, including the launch of cruise missiles from both land and sea, as well as artillery firing near the tense western sea border.
South Korean and US reconnaissance aircraft conducted a flight on Monday to observe North Korea. Amid the military exercise, it is expected that the United States will deploy its strategic military assets to the Korean Peninsula as a demonstration of strength.
According to Korea Times, Pyongyang has consistently criticized the allies' joint military exercises as practice for an invasion and has used them as a reason for provocations. Seoul and Washington have emphasized that their military exercises are defensive in nature.
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