US-South Korea announce time for Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, Pyongyang speeds up missile production

On August 14, the US and South Korea will launch the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise next week to strengthen joint defense capabilities against potential security threats on the Korean Peninsula.

US military base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. (Source: Yonhap)

Taking place from August 21-31, the UFS exercise will be carried out based on a total war scenario, including contingent exercises such as computer-simulated command post exercises, field training and civil defense exercises.

North Korea has been heating up the situation on the peninsula recently with leader Kim Jong Un's call to "vigorously enhance" missile production capacity and prepare for future conflict.

“ The 23rd Ulchi Freedom Shield is designed to be a robust and realistic exercise to strengthen the alliance’s combined defense posture and response capabilities based on scenarios reflecting diverse threats in the security environment and lessons learned from recent conflicts,” the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

The JCS also said the exercise is expected to include drills on responding to cyber attacks and terrorism.

Earlier the same day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that leader Kim Jong Un had ordered the “rapid” improvement of missile production capabilities to better meet the needs of frontline and missile units.

Mr. Kim Jong Un gave the above instructions during his visit to factories producing strategic missiles, missile launchers and other military weapons on July 11-12, in the context of the US-South Korea alliance about to hold the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise in late August.

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