Quân Sự

US, South Korea resume joint military drills amid tension with North Korea

Photo captions
F-35A stealth fighter participates in the exercise “Walking Elephants” of South Korea on March 25. Photo: Reuters

According to Reuters news agency, analysts said that although the South Korean and US militaries have not confirmed what activities this year’s drills will include, with what types of weapons will be involved, but a series of moves show The recent unusual show of military power in and around the Korean Peninsula hinted at the possibility of a larger, more aggressive exercise.

Last week, North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time since 2017. South Korean officials say construction is on track to return to its sole nuclear test facility. North Korea shut down in 2018. Observers in the United States reported “unusual” activity of a North Korean ballistic missile submarine at the base, signaling preparations for a new launch.

Responding to North Korea’s ICBM launch, South Korea conducted rare missile drills involving F-35A stealth fighters, warning Pyongyang that South Korea has the capacity to respond pay and “punish” the neighboring country to the North in case of necessity. The US military announced it is stepping up its military efforts in the Yellow Sea and has conducted exercises with the aircraft carrier.

This series of moves is said to be in stark contrast to what happened in the past few years, when the two allies reduced military exercises, organized training based on computer simulations, miniaturized exercises on the ground to try to appease Pyongyang and restart stalled denuclearization talks.

Colonel Lee Peters, a spokesman for the US Forces Korea (USFK), said it was their policy not to comment on joint exercises, but he insisted “training is necessary for every individual”. military to maintain readiness, proficiency, and reliability.”

Meanwhile, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said the drills have not yet been determined.

South Korea’s defense ministry also denied speculation about discussions about holding trilateral exercises with the United States and Japan, Yonhap news agency reported.

According to Daniel Pinkston, a lecturer at Troy University working in Seoul, the joint exercises will likely return to the normal pace of the pre-COVID-19 period in the context of the easing of quarantine measures and the benefits. political decline.

A coalition of US and South Korean peace activists has called on the militaries of both sides to cancel upcoming exercises.

“The cessation of these costly and provocative military exercises will be an important step toward restarting diplomatic relations with North Korea,” the groups said in a statement they intend to send to the international community. American and Korean leaders.

According to Yonhap, South Korea and the United States are “opening all possibilities” in response to North Korea’s possible resumption of nuclear testing. The two sides also discussed the resumption of the “Blue Lightning” exercise with the participation of strategic bombers equipped with nuclear capabilities.

South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who will take office next May, vowed to “normalize” joint exercises and strengthen South Korea’s military deterrence against North Korea. However, he said the exercises in April will be decided by the current administration in consultation with the US.

You are reading the article US, South Korea resume joint military drills amid tension with North Korea
at Blogtuan.info – Source: baotintuc.vn – Read the original article here

Back to top button