South Korea and the United States are set to launch their annual summertime military drills, Ulchi Freedom Shield, from August 19 to 29, with a focus on bolstering their defenses against North Korea’s growing arsenal and cyber threats. These exercises, aimed at enhancing the alliance’s readiness, come as North Korea advances its nuclear and missile programs while seeking to deploy reconnaissance satellites.
The drills will encompass “realistic threats” across multiple domains, including missile attacks, GPS jamming, and cyber warfare—reflecting lessons learned from recent global incidents. In a joint statement, the militaries of both nations emphasized their commitment to strengthening their deterrence capabilities and defense posture, particularly against weapons of mass destruction.
Colonel Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, highlighted the involvement of approximately 19,000 South Korean troops in 48 rounds of combined field training, which will include field maneuvers, live fire, and amphibious exercises. Simultaneously, the South Korean military will support government-led Ulchi civil defense drills, simulating scenarios such as a nuclear attack by the North.
Colonel Ryan Donald, spokesperson for U.S. Forces Korea, noted that these exercises are among the largest in the Indo-Pacific region and will include participation from member states of the United Nations Command. Despite Pyongyang’s longstanding accusations that these drills are provocations and rehearsals for nuclear war, Seoul and Washington maintain that the exercises are purely defensive and a necessary response to the escalating threats from the North.
