Dubbed Ulchi Freedom Shield, the exercise runs until Aug. 28 and includes computer-simulated drills as well as field training to strengthen the two allies' combined defense posture against North Korean threats and other security challenges.
Although the overall scale of the exercise remains unchanged from previous years, this year's exercise, the first since President Lee Jae-myung took office in early June, has been scaled down, with about 20 of the 40 planned field training exercises being postponed until September due to a scorching heat wave.
Some speculate the scaled-down exercise may also be part of the Lee administration's recent conciliatory gestures toward North Korea. In his speech marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day last week, Lee reiterated his willingness to engage with the North, although Pyongyang has continued to snub his repeated overtures.
North Korea's defense chief strongly denounced the exercise about a week ago, threatening "negative consequences." In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Aug. 10, North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol called it "provocative moves of clearly showing the stand of military confrontation with the [North] and making another serious challenge to the security environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."
Along with the exercise, nationwide civil defense drills are also being held this week to ensure preparedness for crises and other emergencies.
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