Summary
- South Korea and the United States are starting a major combined military exercise to enhance joint defense readiness against North Korean threats
- The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will involve a computer simulation-based command post exercise, field training, and civil defense drills
- The exercise aims to strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance’s capability to respond to provocations and defend against North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction
- Concerns over North Korea’s missile launches, GPS jamming, cyberattacks, and recent trash balloon campaign have heightened tensions
