To deter North Korea: The US and South Korea begin target practice

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The Ministry of Defense in Seoul announced on Thursday that 2,500 military personnel from both countries have participated in the first of a total of five planned training sessions of the “joint firepower destruction exercise”. More than 600 weapon systems including artillery, fighter-bombers, attack helicopters and military drones were used for fire support.

The main location was a military training area near the heavily fortified inner Korean border. The exercise demonstrated the capability and readiness of the armed forces “to respond decisively to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and a large-scale strike,” it said.

The conflict with North Korea, which is subject to strong international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program, has become much more explosive in recent times. After an unprecedented series of missile tests last year, North Korea has again tested nuclear missiles several times this year. The US and South Korea resume full-scale joint maneuvers.

The training on Thursday lasted 130 minutes. The next units will follow in June. It is the largest firing exercise of its kind, a ministry spokesman in Seoul said. The reason for this is also the 70th anniversary of the security alliance, which both countries are celebrating this year.

A few days ago, North Korea criticized the maneuver as a “war exercise against the People’s Republic”. South Korea and the United States deny Pyongyang’s regular accusations that the joint maneuvers were in preparation for an attack.

(SDA)

Source: Blick