South Korea and the United States today launched their annual summer large-scale military exercises “Ulchi Freedom Shield“ (Ulchi Freedom Shield, UFS), aimed at better preparing against threats from North Korea. Pyongyang warned that the maneuvers could deepen regional tensions and vowed to respond to “any provocation“ against its territory, the Associated Press reported, BTA reports.
The 11-day exercises, the second largest of the year after the maneuvers in March, involve 21,000 soldiers, 18,000 of whom are South Korean. The program includes computer-simulated command-post operations and field training.
The allies describe the exercises as purely defensive. North Korea, however, has for years viewed them as an "invasion rehearsal" and has used them as a pretext for missile tests and military demonstrations aimed at developing its nuclear program.
Last week, North Korea's Minister of the People's Armed Forces, Noh Gwang-chol, said the exercises showed Seoul and Washington's stance on a "military confrontation" with Pyongyang. He stressed that North Korean forces would be ready to respond to any provocation "that crosses the border lines."
The maneuvers come at a crucial time for new South Korean President Lee Jae-myeon, who is preparing to meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump in Washington on August 25.
Trump has already raised concerns in Seoul after demanding higher payments for the deployment of US troops in South Korea and hinting that the number of troops may be reduced as Washington shifts its strategic focus to China.