What are the US and South Korea Ulchi-Freedom Guardian 10-day military drills and when do they start? – The Sun

The US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have been involved in a potentially deadly war of words

IT IS an annual show of force and an intimidating illustration of the power of the partnership between South Korea and the US.

But what is the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military drill, and why could it heighten tensions between North Korea and the world even more?

AP:Associated Press

The Ulchi-Freedom Guardian is a military drill which sees the US and South Korea join forces in a string of exercises.

The annual drill involves huge land, air and sea exercises, with tens of thousands of troops involved from both countries.

News.com reported that some of the drills are believed to have included simulated decapitation strikes that target North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his top generals.

Washington and Seoul have said the joint exercises, which have taken place annually for more than 40 years, were a deterrent against North Koreas aggression.

The exercises, designed to improve South Koreas defence, are carried out to recognise the treaty between the Republic of Korea and the United States signed in 1953.

They are named after a famous Korean general, Munduk Ulchi, who lived in the early seventh century and was a successful army leader.

State-controlled Korean Central News Agency reported leader Kim Jong-un would watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees before taking action.

But, the KCNA report also stated that Mr Kim could revive plans to attack the US if the military drill went ahead.

It said: The US should stop at once arrogant provocations against the DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] and unilateral demands and not provoke it any longer.

[Mr Kim] said that if the Yankees persist in their extremely dangerous, reckless actions on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity, testing the self-restraint of the DPRK, the latter will make an important decision as it already declared, warning the US that it should think reasonably and judge properly not to suffer shame that it is hit by the DPRK again.

It added that the countrys Hwasong-12 mid-range ballistic missiles would be ready to launch into action anytime.

Butit was later reported Kim had put his plans to launch four Hwasong missiles towards Guam on ice so he could see what Donald Trumps next move would be.

AP:Associated Press

Donald Trump had promised fire and fury would hit North Korea if Kim Jong-un fired the missiles at the US territory of Guam.

Speaking to reporters at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, the US President said: North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States.

They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.

But a week later, Trump shared a Tweet, writing: Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision.

The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!

The drill is expected to last ten days, from August 21 to August 31, 2017.

It is generally held around this time of year, even using computer simulation exercises

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What are the US and South Korea Ulchi-Freedom Guardian 10-day military drills and when do they start? - The Sun