S. Korea, U.S. launch joint military drill amid N. Korean threat

South Korea and the United States launched a joint military exercise Monday amid North Korea's threat to retaliate with "the strongest military counteraction" against the drill.

The Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise, the world's largest computerized military drill aimed at defending the South from a North Korean attack, kicked off earlier in the day in South Korea for a 12-day run.

Employing nearly 80,000 South Korean and U.S. troops, the annual military exercise has been denounced by North Korea as a rehearsal for invading the communist country.

This year's UFG comes amid unusually heightened military tension between the two Koreas following the North's detonation of land mines on the South Korean side of the demilitarized zone earlier this month.

Three North Korean wooden-box mines exploded in a South Korean military patrol zone inside the DMZ on Aug. 4, maiming two South Korean soldiers. Seoul accused Pyongyang of secretly burying the mines in a pre-planned military provocation.

Over the weekend, the North denied its responsibility for the mine blast and demanded the joint drill be scrapped.
 

(Yonhap)

The country also threatened to react with "the strongest military counteraction" to the drill if it is not canceled.

Mirroring such tension, both Koreas have intensified their military vigilance and ordered stronger counteraction for any provocations from each other.

The North Korean military has reportedly designated the two weeks starting on Aug. 14 for a special vigilance period as is customary during joint drills between the allies.

Adm. Choi Yoon-hee, South Korea's military chief, also ordered operational commanders to "retaliate more powerfully and resolutely against any enemy provocation" during an emergency meeting held last week.

"The (South Korean) military is standing with a war-readiness position under which any types of North Korean provocations could be retaliated against strongly at the spot," a military official said.

North Korea is also likely to test-fire missiles during the drill period as part of protests against it. During the allies' Key Resolve drill in March, the North launched nine short-range and surface-to-air missiles into the East Sea. (Yonhap)