DID Press: South Korea and the United States have begun the “Freedom Shield” military exercises, scheduled to continue through March 19.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the number of field drills this year has been cut by more than half, with 22 exercises planned compared to 51 last year. South Korean officials said the exercises are being distributed more evenly throughout the year to avoid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea has condemned the joint drills as preparations for war, while the current South Korean administration under Lee Jae-myung seeks dialogue with Pyongyang, contrasting with the previous presidency.
Around 18,000 troops are participating, roughly the same as last year. The exercises feature realistic scenarios reflecting aspects of modern warfare.
A key focus is whether operational control of South Korean forces in wartime could be transferred back from the U.S., with the South Korean government aiming to regain this authority before the end of Lee Jae-myung’s term in 2030.