South Korean and US troops today began their largest ever military exercises in a test of their defences against North Korea. The bilateral exercises come just days after the UN passed new sanctions against Pyongyang following its recent nuclear test and rocket launch.
The 8- week long drills will involve about 3,00,000 South Korean troops and 15,000 US personnel. These are being conducted near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas and off the eastern coast of South Korea. Drills will include ground, air, naval and Special Operations components apart from the computer-simulated training.
Meanwhile, North Korea has warned South Korea and US of indiscriminate and pre-emptive nuclear strikes if the two allies go further with the drills. The threat from Pyongyang follows its leader Kim Jong-Un’s order last week asking country’s nuclear arsenal to be placed on standby for use at any moment against the South.