Military exercises to go on schedule
Annual maneuvers by U. S., South Korea irk Pyongyang
North Korea’s threat to lob four missiles toward Guam in mid- August coincides with longstanding plans by the United States and South Korea to mount annual large- scale sea, land and air exercises that have traditionally rankled Pyongyang.
North Korea has responded to the annual exercises by carrying out missile launches or live- fire artillery drills, calling the joint exercises — which often include mock landings by U. S. Marines and South Korean troops— a rehearsal for war.
The annual military event, named UlchiFreedom Guardian this year, is set for Aug. 21- 31 and will go ahead as planned, South Korean officials said Friday, according to
The Guardian. The annual exercises include South Korean civilian emergency drills.
U. S. Forces Korea is considering how or whether to announce the plan for the exercise, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported. One problem is the lack of an official communication channel with the North to alert it to the training schedule.
“As a matter of routine, we do not discuss the details regarding future operations. We have a long- standing and ironclad alliance with our ROK ( Republic of Korea) navy partners,” said Lt. Tabitha Klingensmith, a public affairs officer at the U. S. Naval Forces Korea, according to Yonhap. “Both navies routinely share information to ensure the continued security of the ROK. North Korea is a volatile and dangerous threat, and we will continue to work openly with our ROK partners to counter any threat presented.”
The annual test of wills this year plays out against increasing tension between North Korea and the United States.
In the latest exchange, Trump tweeted Friday, “Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded.”