South Korea and the US will launch their annual large-scale joint military exercises this month to bolster their readiness to counter North Korean threats, in a move likely to irritate Pyongyang amid a prolonged stalemate in diplomacy.
Ulchi Freedom Shield, the second of two military drills held in South Korea annually, typically involves thousands of troops in computer-simulated command post training and combined field exercises. The two allies have also had a joint exercise earlier this year in March.
