Joint Military Drills Between the United States and South Korea in the Face of North Korean Criticism.

Officials said that South Korea and the United States resumed field training for their annual joint military exercises on Monday as the allies sought to tighten their readiness posture in response to North Korea’s probable missile tests.

The midsummer drills, called Ulchi Freedom Shield this year and set to conclude on September 1, come after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, vowed to “normalize” the combined exercises and increase deterrence against the North.

The drills have been cut considerably recently due to Covid-19 and Yoon’s predecessor’s efforts to reopen talks with Pyongyang, which has branded the exercises a “dress rehearsal for invasion.”

Last week, North Korea launched two cruise missiles from the west coast town of Onchon after South Korea and the United States began preliminary training for the drills.

According to Seoul officials, North Korea has performed unprecedented missile launches this year and is ready to conduct its seventh nuclear test anytime.

Yoon has stated that his administration is eager to provide economic assistance in exchange for Pyongyang taking steps toward denuclearization. Still, North Korea has rejected his offer and openly criticized him.

According to Seoul’s defense ministry, the allies will hold 11 field training exercises this summer, including one at the brigade level involving thousands of soldiers.

The ministry said it would boost missile detection capabilities and push for the early deployment of a new interceptor system to fight better North Korea’s rising missile threats against the South’s capital.