South Korea and the United States began their annual joint military exercise, "Ulji Freedom Shield," on Monday. The exercise is aimed at enhancing the two countries' combined defense posture and strengthening their ability to respond to threats. The Ulji Freedom Shield exercise will run until August 15. This year's exercise includes 14 field training events, which will involve a large number of troops and equipment. The two countries' militaries will conduct the exercise based on a scenario in which North Korea's provocations escalate into a major conflict. The exercise will also focus on improving the interoperability of the two countries' military forces. The South Korean and US militaries say the exercise will demonstrate their strong and unwavering alliance. The exercise is expected to involve around 1,600 troops from both countries. The two countries' militaries have been conducting the Ulji Freedom Shield exercise regularly since 2018. The exercise is one of the many joint military activities conducted by South Korea and the US to enhance their defense cooperation. South Korea and the US have a strong and long-standing alliance based on shared values of democracy and freedom. The two countries' militaries will continue to work together to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The United States and South Korea have announced their annual joint military exercise, "Ulf Ji Free Defense Shield" (UFS), which will take place from July 17th to 27th, 2022. During a joint briefing at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul, both countries' military officials disclosed that this exercise represents a defensive nature, incorporating real-world scenarios based on recent war analysis.

This year, they will conduct two such exercises - one in the first half of the year (March) and another in the second half (August). North Korea has strongly reacted to these exercises, calling them "provocative and aggressive large-scale combat drills" and "clear war exercises." The US and South Korean military authorities stated that these exercises aim to strengthen the alliance's joint defense posture and prepare for the conditions agreed upon between the two nations.

They also emphasized that this cooperation during the exercise period will enhance the alliance's operational readiness and combat capabilities at all government levels. They explained that the combined exercises, conducted in a computer simulation, involve real military personnel and equipment, unlike the Team Spirit exercises which ended in 1993.

The last outdoor maneuver exercise, conducted during the Ulf Ji Free Defense Shield exercise last year in August, totaled 22 events. This year, it is reported that there will be 14 outdoor maneuver exercises. Since the beginning of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, the number of outdoor maneuver exercises has been increased during the exercise period.

However, after the Yoon Suk-yeol administration took over, the military authorities decided to conduct these exercises intermittently throughout the year, rather than concentrating them during the annual exercises. This led to half of the 44 outdoor maneuver exercises conducted during last year's Ulf Ji Free Defense Shield exercises being spread out over the course of the exercise period.

In response to this reduction in outdoor maneuver exercises, some media outlets have criticized the reduction in real-life training effectiveness. The military authorities clarified that the total number of US-South Korean training sessions remains constant; the difference lies in whether they are conducted all at once in August or spread out throughout the year.

They explained that the main objective of conducting the exercises in a shortened period is to develop the national crisis management and command and control capabilities of the entire government. A spokesperson for the US and South Korea stated that both nations are maintaining a constant joint defense posture and continuously improving their capabilities through these combined outdoor maneuvers.

They emphasized that the coordination of outdoor maneuvers with the exercise scenarios will be strictly followed, and that all necessary training will be included. The United Nations Command plans to participate in the exercise, with 12 additional member countries contributing personnel. These participants will be composed of civilian and military representatives, working alongside existing UN personnel during the exercise.

The spokesperson noted that the inclusion of experts from various fields, particularly in cyberspace and information, will enhance the UN's capability to conduct more advanced multilateral combined operations.