Officials say the exercises are defensive against North Korea’s aggressive posture.
The United States and South Korea began the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military training exercise earlier this week, conducting field exercises with aircraft, warships, tanks, and thousands of combined troops. The two countries used to regularly conduct exercises to show unity in addressing threats from North Korea.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took office in May and promoted the combined exercises to strengthen deterrence against North Korea. President Yoon said his nation intends to improve its preparedness as patterns of war change.
The joint training drills between the U.S. and South Korea had been scaled back during President Trump’s administration due to efforts to advance diplomacy with North Korea. Negotiations ceased after the second summit between former President Trump and North Korean President Kim Jong Un in 2019 was unsuccessful.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For General Paul LaCamera as he heads the U.S. Forces South Korea.
- For the military leaders of the U.S. and the Republic of Korea as they oversee the combined training exercises.
- For Secretary Austin to seek the Lord’s direction as he leads the Defense Department.
Sources: NPR, Reuters
