US, South Korea begin largest joint military drills since 2017By Mark Moore
August 22, 2022
The United States and South Korea kicked off their largest joint military exercises in five years Monday as Washington and Seoul ratchet up their defensive readiness against the growing nuclear threat from North Korea.
The Ulchi Freedom Shield drills are expected to run through Sept. 1 and will involve aircraft, warships, tanks, and thousands of troops. Exercises will include simulating joint attacks and practicing front-line reinforcements as well as removing weapons of mass destruction.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, called for ramping up the military drills after a fresh outburst of belligerence from Pyongyang.
“Maintaining peace on the Korean peninsula is built on our airtight security posture,” Yoon told a cabinet meeting, according to Reuters, adding that he wanted to “normalize” training with the US.
The drills have been scaled down in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and attempts by South Korea and the US to negotiate with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program.
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Source:
https://nypost.com/2022/08/22/us-south-korea-begin-largest-joint-military-drills-since-2017/
