Tension mounts ahead of US-South Korea drills
Frank Smith
Press TV, Seoul
Hundreds of South Koreans have staged a rally in the capital of Seoul to protest the upcoming military drills with the United States. President Yoon Suk-yeol has vowed to strengthen the US-South Korea alliance in the face of a record number of missiles launched by North Korea last year. Press TV correspondent, Frank Smith reports from Seoul.
South Koreans opposed the upcoming joint US-South Korean military exercises and took their message to the presidential office. They worry the largest such drills in almost 5 years could lead to direct confrontation.
Last year North Korea test-launched a record number of ballistic missiles with the US and South Korea routinely conducting their own missile tests and smaller military drills.
Large-scale joint US-South Korea military exercises had been suspended by previous President Moon Jae-in, resulting in improvements in inter-Korean relations. But that's not the policy of current President Yoon Suk-yeol, whose hardline approach has seen a strengthening of the alliance with the US, and frequent deployments of US nuclear-capable forces.
The drills are set to include both computer-simulated war games and field exercises. North Korea views the drills as a rehearsal for invasion.
More large-scale drills with the US are planned for this year, as President Yoon seeks to celebrate the 70th anniversary of South Korea's alliance with the United States.
US-Israeli genocide: Will Gazans see ceasefire deal achieved?
Grief strikes Parachinar: 44 lives lost in terror attack
Yemen’s armed forces target Israeli airbase amid nationwide pro-Palestinian rallies
Israeli embassy shooting in Jordan leaves gunman dead, 3 police injured
VIDEO | Paris march in support of Palestine women
VIDEO | ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister, ousted regime war minister
120 Palestinians perish as Israeli war machine keeps ravaging Gaza
VIDEO | Struggles of Palestinian women amidst war, displacement
VIDEO | Hezbollah rains attack drones down on elite Israeli brigade
VIDEO | US biased mediation fails
Leader: All captains of criminal, Zionist, terrorist gang must be prosecuted
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
