South Korea and US launch Ulchi Freedom Shield joint drills

South Korea and the United States began their annual summer joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield, on Monday, with drills set to continue until August 27, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

The exercises aim to strengthen the forces’ readiness and defensive capabilities through joint operations across all domains, simulating real-world threats that reflect the rapid evolution of modern warfare.

Ulchi Freedom Shield is a major annual event focused on training to respond to any contingency, alongside the Freedom Shield drills typically held in the spring.

Supporting military command transition

The South Korean military said it expects the drills to support ongoing preparations for the conditional transfer of wartime operational control between Seoul and Washington. The two countries are implementing a three-phase plan, with the second phase currently under evaluation.