South Korea conducts joint live-fire drills with the US in the vicinity of the inter-Korean border
Seoul, March 14 (IANS) South Korea and the US conducted live-fire tank drills near the inter-Korean border, as part of the Freedom Shield exercise aimed at strengthening deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. The exercises involved 300 personnel and various military assets.
The drills took place at Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, just 25 km south of the inter-Korean border, with the participation of K1A2 tanks, K21 armored vehicles, and M1150 assault breacher vehicles. South Korean and US troops formed joint battle teams to enhance their combined operational capabilities.
During the exercises, K1A2 tanks and K21 armored vehicles fired at enemy targets while South Korean and US engineers cleared obstacles to secure the enemy’s position. North Korea has criticized the joint drills as rehearsals for invasion, while Seoul and Washington maintain they are defensive in nature.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently oversaw a tank unit training competition where he showcased a newly unveiled tank, in a display of military strength against the allies’ exercises. The computer-simulated Freedom Shield exercise concluded on Thursday after starting on March 4, involving various on-field drills to boost readiness against North Korean threats.
In addition to the tank drills, the allies’ navies conducted a three-day joint medical evacuation exercise, transporting injured personnel from Deokjeok Island to the Armed Forces Daejeon Hospital. The exercises aim to enhance coordination and response in scenarios of mass wartime casualties, demonstrating the strong military cooperation between South Korea and the US.
These exercises reaffirm the strong alliance between South Korea and the US in deterring potential threats from North Korea and maintaining stability in the region. The ongoing military cooperation highlights the commitment to ensuring peace and security on the Korean peninsula.
–IANS
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