Seoul: South Korea and the United States are set to conduct joint military exercises in the middle of this month. The two nations announced plans for large-scale exercises from August 17 to 27, focusing on countering drones, disrupting GPS systems, and responding to cyberattacks, in response to North Korea’s advancing military capabilities.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises aim to test operational capabilities and support South Korea’s emergency preparedness training. Colonel Ryan Donald, director of public affairs for Combined Forces Command, United Nations Command, and U.S. Forces Korea, emphasized that the exercises reflect the evolving nature of warfare, including the increased use of unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and cyberattacks.

Colonel Donald noted that North Korean soldiers, having been deployed abroad and fought in Ukraine, have gained valuable lessons that are enhancing North Korea’s military capabilities. “Our exercises take this threat into account,” he stated, highlighting that the primary focus remains on the threats to the Korean Peninsula and the defense of South Korea.