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Ulchi Freedom Shield Clash
North Korea denounced upcoming joint U.S.-South Korea military drills and said it would respond to the exercises with "a new level of deterrent," as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills are set to run from August 17 to 27.
“from August 17 to 27”
Reuters reported that the drills will incorporate exercises to counter drones, GPS disruption and cyberattacks as South Korea and the United States adapt to North Korea's evolving capabilities.
The North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson, cited by KCNA, said the U.S. announced the forthcoming exercises were "quite different from the ones of the past five years" and intended to master "the ability of fighting a war" based on modern warfare aspects.
North Korea also said it would further strengthen its nuclear deterrence, accusing the United States of pursuing a new nuclear strategy that lowers the threshold for using weapons and could push global security "to the brink of a nuclear war."
Threats, Troops, and Missile Tests
South Korea and the United States are set to begin the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on Monday and have described the scope as similar to past years, while North Korea called it more provocative than last year's.
The Hindu said North Korea's Foreign Ministry called the training "a rehearsal for an aggressive war" and warned the drills would be of a "more serious provocative nature and dangerousness than last year".
Al Jazeera reported that the drills will involve 18,000 South Korean soldiers along with their American counterparts stationed in the country, whose total strength is 28,500 troops.
Al Jazeera added that Pyongyang sees the exercises as invasion training and noted that earlier this week North Korea launched a ballistic missile over the Sea of Japan, signaling opposition to the event.
What’s at Stake Next
North Korea framed the drills as part of preparations for "a substantial military confrontation" and said it would respond to a new level of threat with a new level of deterrence, while also warning it would not tolerate the "dangerous confrontation" created by hostile states.
“with a new level of deterrence”
Yonhap reported that North Korea warned it will respond "with a new level of deterrence" as the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise runs until August 27, after the allies begin on Monday.
TRT World said the drills are designed to prepare the United States and South Korea to defend against the nuclear-armed North, involving 18,000 South Korean troops alongside personnel from the 28,500-strong U.S. contingent in the country.
In the same reporting, TRT World said Pyongyang earlier this week fired a ballistic missile over the Sea of Japan, and that the statement described the drills as aiming "to complete preparations for the substantial military confrontation with the DPRK."
