US and South Korea launch “Freedom Shield 23” military maneuvers

The maneuvers of the two allies had their starting point on Monday. According to the US Forces Korea (USFK), field exercises are also planned within the next eleven days. “Freedom Shield 23” is intended to strengthen the joint defense position of the allies in Washington and Seoul and is a reaction to the “changed security environment” in the region, triggered by increased aggression by North Korea.

Amphibious exercises involving naval forces are also part of the operation on the Korean peninsula, according to the armed forces involved. Under the code name “Warrior Shield FTX”, the maneuvers based on computer simulations have already been preceded by various field exercises in recent weeks.

Kim Jong Un threatens the United States

Shortly before the start of the maneuver, North Korea announced that it had tested two strategic cruise missiles, which landed 1,500 kilometers away in the target area in the Sea of ​​Japan. South Korea’s general staff confirmed the weapon test from a submarine, but initially only spoke of an unidentified missile. There are differences between the recorded data and the information provided by the self-declared nuclear power North Korea, said a spokesman.

North Korea’s ruler Kim Jong Un had previously warned that the maneuvers by Seoul and Washington could be interpreted as a “declaration of war”. The missile tests are an expression of North Korea’s determination in a situation in which “the US imperialists and the South Korean puppet forces are becoming increasingly blatant in their anti-North Korean manoeuvres.”

Observers therefore assume that Pyongyang could use the exercises as a pretext for further provocations, such as missile or nuclear tests.

Uncertainty over North Korea’s nuclear status

Since last year, the situation between South and North Korea has deteriorated again. Despite being banned by UN decisions, largely isolated North Korea has increased the scope of its ballistic missile tests and has repeatedly threatened military escalation. This type of weapon could also be equipped with nuclear warheads. It is still unclear whether North Korea actually has such warheads. Experts suspect that their development could be the target of further nuclear tests. Although North Korea is likely to exaggerate its capabilities, they warn that the threats should be taken seriously.

The US has 28,500 troops in South Korea to deter North Korea stationed. Like Japan, the country is under the nuclear umbrella of the United States, because neither country has its own nuclear weapons.

fwu/fab (rtr, dpa, afp)