South Korea, US launch major military drills amid North Korean threats

South Korea and the United States commenced their annual Freedom Shield military exercise on March 10, aiming to bolster their combined defence capabilities in response to North Korean threats and its deepening military ties with Russia.

The 11-day drills, scheduled to run through March 20, mark the first large-scale joint exercise between the allies since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January. The U.S. military has reaffirmed its commitment to South Korea’s security, underscoring the strength of the alliance, Caliber.Az reports via South Korean media.

"The ironclad commitment to the ROK is as strong as ever. We are fully in Freedom Shield 2025. What we are doing right now is building our readiness, capabilities to defend the ROK against any threat," Col. Ryan Donald, spokesperson for the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), stated during a press briefing last week. ROK refers to the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name.

This year’s exercise incorporates computer-simulated drills and field training exercises, with a focus on enhancing interoperability between the two militaries. South Korea has deployed approximately 19,000 troops, and the allies plan to conduct 16 large-scale field drills, up from 10 last year, according to the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

However, live-fire drills will not be part of this year's exercise after a recent training mishap involving South Korean fighter jets. Last Thursday, two KF-16 jets mistakenly dropped eight bombs outside a designated training range in Pocheon, 40 kilometers north of Seoul, injuring 15 civilians and 14 service members. As a result, both nations agreed to suspend live-fire exercises until further notice.

North Korea has historically denounced the U.S.-South Korea joint exercises as rehearsals for an invasion and often responds with military provocations. Pyongyang has issued multiple statements condemning Freedom Shield 2025, warning that Seoul and Washington will "pay a horrible price" for what it calls a "dangerous provocative act."

Experts anticipate North Korea may conduct missile tests or other military activities in response to the drills, continuing its pattern of defiance against the allies.

Freedom Shield is one of two major joint military exercises conducted annually by the U.S. and South Korea, focusing on wartime operational scenarios. The second major exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield, typically takes place in August.

By Vugar Khalilov