US and South Korea begin joint military drills as North Korea accuses them of invasion rehearsal
SUMMARY
The United States and South Korea launched a large-scale military exercise on Monday, focusing on enhancing their combined defense capabilities against North Korea. The drills, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, come amid rising tensions, with North Korea accusing the allies of preparing for an invasion. The 11-day exercise involves over 19,000 South Korean military personnel and includes live-fire drills, computer-simulated war games, and scenarios involving North Korean missile threats and cyberattacks. North Korea condemned the exercises as "provocative war drills," justifying its nuclear ambitions as necessary for maintaining a balance of power. The drills are expected to provoke a response from North Korea, which recently showcased its expanding weapons program and issued threats of nuclear conflict.
