South Korea and the United States have commenced their annual military exercises aimed at enhancing their preparedness against potential nuclear threats from North Korea. The exercises, which began on Monday, include a computer-simulated command post training known as the Freedom Shield exercise, along with various field exercises that will span over an 11-day period, as reported by the South Korean Defense Ministry.
North Korea, which views these drills as a rehearsal for invasion, has not issued an immediate response. In the past, the North has reacted to such joint drills by conducting provocative weapons tests.
South Korea's military has announced plans to conduct 48 field exercises with U.S. forces this spring, double the number from the previous year. These exercises will involve live-firing, bombing, air assault, and missile interception drills.
Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has conducted over 100 rounds of missile tests in an effort to modernize its arsenal, amidst stalled talks with the United States and South Korea. In response, the U.S. and South Korea have escalated their training exercises and increased the deployment of powerful military assets.
This year alone, North Korea has carried out six rounds of missile tests and a series of artillery firing drills. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared a shift towards a more aggressive military posture along the disputed sea boundary with South Korea, renouncing the goal of peaceful unification with the South and issuing threats of annihilation against both South Korea and the United States.
While concerns have been raised about potential provocations by North Korea along the Korean sea and land borders, experts believe the likelihood of a full-blown attack is low, given the military superiority of U.S. and South Korean forces.
North Korea's recent actions are seen as linked to upcoming elections in the U.S. and South Korea. The country aims to bolster its nuclear arsenal to gain leverage in future diplomacy and potentially secure concessions, such as the easing of international sanctions, according to experts.
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