The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sun, May 29, 2022 | 08:27
Defense
S. Korea-US joint military drill begins Monday amid N. Korean threats
Posted : 2017-08-20 16:49
Updated : 2017-08-21 13:38
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Rachel Lee

South Korea and the United States will begin their annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) joint exercise Monday amid escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang's recent launch of two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and threats against Guam.

The two allies are expected to step up preparations for possible provocations by the North to protest against the drill that lasts till Aug. 31, military officials here said, Sunday.

Whether or not North Korea causes further provocations during or after the exercise will be a turning point for the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang has denounced such drills as a rehearsal for invading it, reacting with military threats.

Two days after UFG last year, the North test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in waters off its east coast to protest the joint exercise. Pyongyang also conducted its fifth nuclear test Sept. 9 last year, which marked the 68th anniversary of the establishment of the reclusive regime.

During the 2015 exercise, the North fired what appeared to be a rocket into Yeoncheon County, near the border north of Seoul, to protest South Korean propaganda broadcasts. The South responded by firing dozens of shells targeting the launch site in the North.

Experts say the Kim regime could use this year's UFG as an excuse again for further provocations.

North Korea made public scenes of Gen. Kim Rak-gyom, commander of the Strategic Force, reporting to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un the military's detailed plan to strike waters off Guam with missiles, and promised to show the launches to the public if the plan was carried out, said Kim Dong-yup, a professor at the Institute for Far East Studies of Kyungnam University.

"Looking at the past cases, this year could be the same," the professor added.

S. Korean Marines kick off largest-ever drills near disputed island
2017-08-20 10:40  |  Defense
Ex-president's NK policy will be reviewed
Ex-president's NK policy will be reviewed
2017-08-20 15:45  |  Politics
Moon reaffirms wartime OPCON transfer
Moon reaffirms wartime OPCON transfer
2017-08-20 17:04  |  Defense
Why should North Korea believe the United States?
Why should North Korea believe the United States?
2017-08-20 16:42
US Pacific Command chief to visit S. Korea Monday
US Pacific Command chief to visit S. Korea Monday
2017-08-20 10:53  |  Defense
US military commanders visit amid N. Korea threats
US military commanders visit amid N. Korea threats
2017-08-20 15:54  |  Defense
"During the UFG exercise, North Korea will not raise military tension as a number of U.S. forces are deployed here, but it could commit provocations somewhere like the Northern Limit Line (NLL)," said Cha Doo Hyeogn, a researcher at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has denounced the joint exercise, saying it could drive the Korean Peninsula into catastrophe.

No further threats have been made by North Korea since its leader Kim said last week that the country would watch U.S. behavior for now after being briefed on the Guam plan.

Pyongyang, however, could stay quiet this time and seek instead to hold talks with Washington, according to experts.

No further provocation until Sept. 9 could ease tension on the peninsula and pave the way for dialogue. Sept. 9 marks the 69th anniversary of the country's founding.

According to Seoul's defense ministry, the exercise will be carried out on a similar scale as last year. But the likelihood is that South Korea and the U.S. could keep it low-key to avoid provoking North Korea.

U.S. strategic assets such as B-1B heavy bombers and nuclear-powered submarines are unlikely to participate in the exercise. North Korea has reacted angrily about the deployment of such assets to the Korea Peninsula.

And the number of U.S. forces has fallen this year: approximately 17,500 U.S. service members are expected to participate in the exercise, with about 3,000 coming from outside the peninsula. About 25,000 U.S. service members participated in the exercise last year.

A government official said the government will be keeping a close eye on North Korea during the joint exercise, calling for Pyongyang to stop provocations and take steps toward denuclearization.

UFG will also include forces from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The Swiss and Swedish delegations of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission will monitor the exercise to ensure that it complies with the Armistice Agreement.

The United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission informed Pyongyang of the exercise dates and the non-provocative nature of the routine training, the allies' Combined Forces Command.

Tensions escalated with the North and the U.S. threatening each other in a war of words after Pyongyang launched two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month. The U.N. Security Council adopted a Washington-led sanctions resolution on Pyongyang earlier this month.

Emailrachel@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • Korean Mental Health: Stranger Things
  • Dutch Korean artist's project: The Mother Mountain Institute of Sara Sejin Chang
  • S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases below 20,000 for 3rd day as pandemic slows
  • Why Mario Outlet founder keeps buying houses of former presidents
  • KOICA launches interactive town in metaverse for overseas volunteer program
  • Union agress to resume late-night subway services in Seoul starting next month
  • 'Russia needs huge financial resources for military operations'
  • Former rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae to wed in August
  • Uvalde school police chief faulted in shooting response
  • Regional banks' declining offline business casts doubts over relocation plan of Seoul firms
  • Korean films make splash at Cannes Film Festival Korean films make splash at Cannes Film Festival
  • From BTS to TWICE's Nayeon, K-pop hotshots prepare June releases From BTS to TWICE's Nayeon, K-pop hotshots prepare June releases
  • How did BTS become beacon of diversity and inclusion? How did BTS become beacon of diversity and inclusion?
  • K-pop band BTS and Biden to meet to discuss Asian inclusion, discrimination K-pop band BTS and Biden to meet to discuss Asian inclusion, discrimination
  • For new cultural policy for hallyu For new cultural policy for hallyu
DARKROOM
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group