South Korea-US Military Drills to Counter North Korea Threats

South Korea and the US will begin their annual summertime military drills next week to enhance their defense capabilities against North Korea's weapons and cyber threats. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, running from Aug. 19 to 29, will address realistic threats, including missile threats, GPS jamming, cyberattacks, and more.

South Korea and the United States are set to commence their annual summertime military drills next week, aiming to bolster their defense capabilities against North Korea's weapons and cyber threats, officials confirmed on Monday.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, scheduled from Aug. 19 to 29, are in response to North Korea's ongoing nuclear and missile advancements and attempts to launch reconnaissance satellites. The exercises will incorporate "realistic threats" across all domains, including missile threats, GPS jamming, and cyberattacks, reflecting lessons learned from recent incidents, according to a joint statement from the two countries' militaries.

The alliance aims to enhance its capability and stance to deter and defend against weapons of mass destruction, Colonel Lee Sung-jun of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a briefing. Additionally, the South Korean military will support concurrent government-led Ulchi civil defense drills, including scenarios of a nuclear attack from the North.

(With inputs from agencies.)