Key S. Korea-US military drills begin amid OPCON transition push
South Korea and the United States kicked off their key summertime combined exercise Monday, with Seoul seeking to use the drills to accelerate efforts to regain wartime operational command (OPCON) from Washington. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise will run until Aug. 27, featuring combined and all-domain operations to boost the allies' readiness and capabilities by incorporating…
South Korea and the United States initiated their significant military drills on Monday, with Seoul aiming to expedite the transition to wartime operational command (OPCON) from Washington. The Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, set to continue until August 27, incorporates combined and all-domain operations to enhance the allies' preparedness and capabilities by simulating modern warfare threats.
The UFS is a flagship annual exercise between the allies, designed to train for contingencies against North Korea, alongside the spring-held Freedom Shield (FS) exercise. This year's UFS comes as South Korea seeks to reclaim wartime command from the U.S. before the Lee Jae Myung administration's five-year term concludes in 2030, or potentially even sooner.
The South Korean military anticipates the latest UFS will support ongoing preparations for a conditions-based OPCON transition, as both Seoul and Washington work towards the OPCON transfer.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
