Aiexpress – The United States and South Korea have announced that they will commence their annual springtime military exercise next week. The main focus of this exercise will be to counter the increasing nuclear threat posed by North Korea.
The Freedom Shield 2024 exercise, as announced in a press release by U.S. Forces Korea, will take place from March 4-14. It will involve a combination of computer-simulated and field-based training.
During a joint press briefing on Wednesday, Colonel Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, announced that this year’s exercise will consist of 48 joint field drills. This is nearly double the number of drills compared to last year. The drills will include various activities such as air assault, tactical live-fire, and bombing exercises.
Lee emphasized the importance of training specifically aimed at countering the North Korean nuclear threat.
“Our military is ready to swiftly and decisively retaliate against North Korea’s provocative actions,” he emphasized. “Through this exercise, we will enhance our preparedness to respond firmly.”
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years, with Pyongyang conducting numerous weapons tests and escalating its aggressive rhetoric towards South Korea. Last month, they went as far as labeling Seoul their “principal enemy.” In the midst of these tensions, joint drills have been initiated to address the situation.
Amidst the escalating provocations from North Korea, the United States and South Korea have bolstered their military cooperation. They have intensified joint drills and deployed significant assets, including a nuclear ballistic missile submarine, to the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea frequently criticizes the joint exercises of its allies, accusing them of preparing for an invasion. It has even used these drills as a justification for conducting its own missile tests.
According to Col. Isaac Taylor, the spokesperson for U.S. Forces Korea, the Freedom Shield exercise has consistently been carried out with the intention of training and deterring potential threats.
According to Taylor, professional militaries undergo training to ensure security and stability on the peninsula. He emphasized that the United States and ROK have long collaborated on defensive exercises to achieve this goal.
South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is the designated name for this country.
According to him, Seoul and Washington have been open and clear about their plans regarding the drills.
“We are holding a press conference to announce our upcoming exercise,” Taylor expressed. “We anticipate that our message will be seen internationally, and based on our past actions, we expect people to comprehend the purpose of this exercise on the peninsula.”
Personnel from eleven other member countries of the United Nations Command, including Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Colombia, France, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Thailand, will participate in the exercise alongside U.S. and South Korean forces. The USFK stated that each country will contribute in different capacities.
The UNC, led by the United States, plays a crucial role in upholding and enforcing the armistice agreement that brought an end to the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. Among its responsibilities, the UNC controls access to the DMZ and maintains communication with the North Korean military.
The USFK has stated that the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission will be responsible for observing the drills. The main role of the NNSC is to ensure that all parties involved adhere to the terms of the armistice agreement.
