SEOUL, South Korea — On Monday, South Korea and the United States kicked off their annual large-scale joint military exercise, labeled Ulchi Freedom Shield, designed to enhance their response capabilities against threats posed by nuclear-armed North Korea.
The 11-day exercise is expected to involve approximately 21,000 personnel, among which 18,000 will be South Korean soldiers.
This year’s drills, characterized by the allies as defensive in nature, come at a critical time, as North Korea has expressed that it regards these exercises as exacerbating regional tensions and has vowed to respond to any perceived provocations against its territory.
In a statement released last week, North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol criticized the military exercises, asserting that they reflect the allies’ stance of “military confrontation” with North Korea.
He insisted that North Korean forces would be prepared to counteract any provocations that cross the boundary line.
Ulchi Freedom Shield holds particular significance for South Korea’s newly elected liberal President Lee Jae Myung, who is gearing up for a summit with President Donald Trump in Washington scheduled for August 25.
There are concerns within Seoul that President Trump might disrupt the longstanding alliance by demanding increased financial contributions for the American troop presence in South Korea, potentially leading to a reduction in troop numbers as the U.S. pivots its focus more towards China.
The heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula come at a time when North Korea has flipped aside Lee’s calls for diplomatic engagement, with relations having soured in recent years.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accelerated the nation’s weapons program and strengthened ties with Moscow in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During a Cabinet meeting on Monday, President Lee emphasized the necessity for courage to pursue steps aimed at easing tensions while maintaining a robust state of security readiness.
In conjunction with the military exercise, South Korea has also commenced a four-day civil defense drill, involving thousands of public workers, which is often scheduled alongside allied military exercises during summertime.
The previous conservative regime in South Korea responded to North Korean threats by amplifying military exercises in collaboration with the United States while demanding stronger assurances from the U.S. concerning nuclear deterrence.
This approach has drawn ire from Kim Jong Un, who last year renounced the long-term goals of reconciliation and amended North Korea’s constitution to permanently label South Korea as an enemy.
In his recent message directed at Pyongyang, President Lee stated his intention to restore a 2018 military agreement designed to mitigate tensions along the border, urging North Korea to reciprocate the South’s efforts to rebuild trust and revive dialogue.
The 2018 military agreement, which materialized during a brief diplomatic thaw between the two Koreas, established buffer zones on land and sea as well as no-fly zones above the border to avert clashes.
However, South Korea suspended this agreement in 2024, citing North Korea’s provocative actions, including launching trash-laden balloons into the South, prompting a resumption of frontline military activities and propaganda campaigns.
North Korea had already declared its refusal to comply with the agreement by that time.
When questioned regarding the potential impact of President Lee’s efforts to restore the agreement on the ongoing military drills, South Korea’s Defense Ministry clarified that there were no immediate plans to suspend live-fire training near the disputed western maritime border between the Koreas.
While the allies chose to postpone half of Ulchi Freedom Shield’s original 44 planned field training programs until September, U.S. military officials dismissed speculation from South Korean media that the adjustments were made to facilitate diplomacy with North Korea and indicated that reshuffling was due to concerns over heat and flood damage to some training areas.
Throughout his political career, President Trump has frequently urged South Korea to increase its financial contributions for the upkeep of the 28,500 American troops stationed on its territory.
Senior officials from the Trump administration have suggested a potential restructuring of the alliance, an approach that some experts argue could significantly alter the scale and role of American forces in South Korea.
This would potentially put South Korea in a position to shoulder more responsibilities in confronting North Korean threats, while the United States shifts its focus primarily toward China.
This shift could result in South Korea facing increased costs and risks while receiving diminished benefits.
image source from：nbcnews
