US, South Korea begin biggest joint military drills since 2018

Tags: Defence International News

South Korea and the United States began their biggest joint military exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' since 2018 on 22 August with the resumption of field training.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• Known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, thousands of military personnel are expected to participate in the exercise.

• It will run for two weeks starting 22 August.

• The US and South Korea have said they are defensive in nature and will conduct exercises to coordinate security forces in response to North Korea's aggression.

• The exercise is likely to involve warships, aircraft and armoured vehicles.

• The US, South Korea and Japan conducted a joint missile defence exercise in Hawaii earlier this month.

• The US, Japan and South Korea have warned that North Korea is preparing for its first nuclear test since 2017.

• North Korea is trying to develop smaller weapons to attack US allies in Asia and could increase the power of those weapons that would be carried to the US by intercontinental ballistic missiles.

• The US still has about 28,500 troops in South Korea and military leaders on both sides have said the exercises are necessary to prepare for any provocation by Pyongyang (North Korea).

• Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will improve South Korea's combat capability.

South Korea :

• It is in East Asia. It is located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.

• In 2017 South Korea had the fastest internet connectivity globally.

• President - Yoon Suk-Yeol 

• Prime Minister - Kim Boo-Kyum

• Capital - Seoul

• Official Language - Korean