SEOUL — South Korea and the United States are set to commence a significant joint military exercise this week, aimed at bolstering their combined defense capabilities in response to evolving threats from North Korea, as announced by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Sunday. The Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, scheduled from August 19 to 29, involves comprehensive scenarios including a computer simulation-based command post exercise, concurrent field training, and civil defense drills, designed to enhance readiness against potential North Korean provocations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the annual exercise will focus on multi-domain operations involving land, sea, air, cyber, and space assets to strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance’s ability to defend against North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction. This year’s drills are particularly crucial given Pyongyang’s escalated missile testing activity, with 37 ballistic missile launches recorded this year alone, and recent aggressive actions such as the trash balloon campaign that have intensified cross-border tensions.
The 2023 UFS exercise will mirror the scope of last year’s drills, involving approximately 19,000 South Korean troops and an increased number of field training events—48 compared to last year’s 38—including amphibious landings and live-fire drills. The number of brigade-level exercises will also see a significant rise, from four last year to 17 this year, indicating a heightened focus on readiness and tactical response capabilities.
North Korea has consistently condemned the joint exercises between South Korea and the U.S., labeling them as rehearsals for invasion. However, both Seoul and Washington maintain that the drills are purely defensive. In light of the North’s likely use of these exercises as a pretext for further provocations, JCS Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo has directed front-line troops to respond immediately to any aggressive acts. This directive underscores the allies’ commitment to maintaining a posture of readiness and deterrence, amidst growing regional security challenges.