US and South Korea Conclude Major Military Drill Amid North Korea’s Warnings

The United States and South Korea wrapped up their annual Freedom Shield military exercise on Thursday, reinforcing their defense capabilities. The 11-day drill, which involved computer-simulated war scenarios, aimed to counter Pyongyang’s growing nuclear and missile programs, as well as its increasing military ties with Russia.

This year’s Freedom Shield marked the first large-scale joint exercise since Donald Trump returned to the US presidency in January. Around 19,000 South Korean troops participated, with expanded drills covering land, sea, air, cyber, and space operations. Notably, South Korea’s Strategic Command and Naval Task Fleet Command took part for the first time. In response, North Korea condemned the exercise as a “dangerous provocation” and launched multiple ballistic missiles on the first day.

While Washington and Seoul maintain that these drills are defensive, Pyongyang has long viewed them as preparations for an invasion. Freedom Shield is one of two major annual joint exercises, alongside Ulchi Freedom Shield, which takes place in August and simulates an all-out war scenario.