US and South Korea will conduct large-scale joint military exercises for 2nd straight year

SEOUL–In response to the heightened threat from North Korea, the United States and South Korea will conduct large-scale joint military exercises for the second consecutive year this spring, rather than biennially. The decision comes in the face of a combative North Korea, which has been engaged in nuclear and missile development programs, several U.S. and South Korean military sources said on Feb. 25. The joint military drills have been held annually in the spring to coordinate their operations, including dispatch of U.S. troops for reinforcements. In even-numbered years, landing operations, a key component of the joint drill, have been conducted on a large-scale basis, while they have been run on a smaller basis in odd-numbered years.