South Korea and the United States will resume live field exercises long suspended during their joint military exercises, the South Korean Defense Ministry said, as they work to curb North Korea’s advanced nuclear and missile programs.
The two allies are due to begin their annual summer exercises next month, after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, pledged to “normalize” joint exercises and strengthen deterrence against North Korea.
The ministry announced that South Korea and the United States plan to conduct 11 joint field exercises, including battalion-level exercises, this summer. She added that they aim to conduct more joint field exercises at the regiment level or above.
The two sides have reduced their joint military exercises in recent years due to COVID-19 and efforts to reduce tension with the North.
North Korea has conducted missile tests at an unprecedented rate this year and is believed to be preparing for its seventh nuclear test.