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What are the US and South Korea Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military drills and how long do they last?
IT IS an annual show of force and an intimidating illustration of the power of the partnership between South Korea and the US.
But what is the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military drill, and why could it heighten tensions between North Korea and the world even more?.
South Korean army soldiers hold their weapons during an anti-terror exercise carried out as part of Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise in 2010. What is the US and South Korea Ulchi-Freedom Guardian 10-day military drill?.
The Ulchi-Freedom Guardian is a military drill which sees the US and South Korea join forces in a string of exercises. The annual drill involves huge land, air and sea exercises, with tens of thousands of troops involved from both countries.
News. com reported that some of the drills are believed to have included simulated decapitation strikes that target North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his top generals.
Washington and Seoul have said the joint exercises, which have taken place annually for more than 40 years, were a deterrent against North Koreas aggression.
The exercises, designed to improve South Koreas defence, are carried out to recognise the treaty between the Republic of Korea and the United States signed in 1953.
They are named after a famous Korean general, Munduk Ulchi, who lived in the early seventh century and was a successful army leader. How has North Korea reacted?.
State-controlled Korean Central News Agency reported leader Kim Jong-un would watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees before taking action.
But, the KCNA report also stated that Mr Kim could revive plans to attack the US if the military drill went ahead.
It said: The US should stop at once arrogant provocations against the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] and unilateral demands and not provoke it any longer.
[Mr Kim] said that if the Yankees persist in their extremely dangerous, reckless actions on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity, testing the self-restraint of the DPRK, the latter will make an important decision as it already declared, warning the US that it should think reasonably and judge properly not to suffer shame that it is hit by the DPRK again.
It added that the countrys Hwasong-12 mid-range ballistic missiles would be ready to launch into action anytime.
But it was later reported Kim had put his plans to launch four Hwasong missiles towards Guam on ice so he could see what Donald Trumps next move would be.
US Army soldiers move during the annual Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military exercises in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea. What has Donald Trump said?.
Donald Trump had promised fire and fury would hit North Korea if Kim Jong-un fired the missiles at the US territory of Guam.
Speaking to reporters at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, the US President said: “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. “They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.
But a week later, Trump shared a Tweet, writing: Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!.
Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2017 . When does it start?.
The drill is expected to last ten days, from August 21 to August 31, 2017. It is generally held around this time of year, even using computer simulation exercises.
Itis believed the exercises will involve around 17,5000 US troops mostly involved in the simulation side of the drills. North Korea releases images of Kim Jong-un reviewing Guam attack plan.