All it is advisable to know as US begins ‘massive navy drill’ with South Korea amid WW3 drama

Need to know

Freedom Shield exercise involves 18,000 South Korean troops and American forces in major drills that could provoke an angry reaction from North Korea

Everything you need to know

• The United States and South Korea have launched a massive military drill involving thousands of troops as Middle East tensions continue to escalate.
• Approximately 18,000 Korean forces are taking part in Freedom Shield, which runs until March 19, though US troop numbers remain classified.
• The joint exercises come amid reports that Washington may be moving military assets from South Korea to bolster operations against Iran. US Forces Korea refused to discuss specific movements for security reasons.
• The drills are expected to anger North Korea, which has consistently branded such exercises as “invasion practice” and used them to justify its own weapons testing.
• Relations between the allies and Pyongyang have deteriorated since Kim Jong Un exploited Russia’s Ukraine invasion to fast-track his nuclear programme. Kim recently reaffirmed his hardline stance towards “enemy” Seoul at a political gathering last month.
• The computer-based simulations aim to test combined operational readiness, with field training activities scaled back from 51 to just 22 manoeuvres compared to last year.
• South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has expressed hope for diplomacy, with officials optimistic that Trump’s anticipated China trip could create opportunities for talks with North Korea.

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