VOASites by Language

Log in Sign up
HOMEUSAAFRICAASIAMIDEASTEUROPESCIENCE & TECHHEALTHENTERTAINMENTECONOMYPROGRAMS
Listen
News / Asia

US, South Korea to Hold Annual War Drills

Print
Comment
Share:
FILE - U.S. and South Korean Marines run from a South Korean assault amphibious vehicle during joint
military exercises in Pohang, south of Seoul, April 26, 2013.
FILE - U.S. and South Korean Marines run from a South Korean assault amphibious vehicle during joint
military exercises in Pohang, south of Seoul, April 26, 2013.

Pin It
RELATED ARTICLES

Views Mixed on Broadening US Sanctions Against N Korea

Diplomat: North Korea Will Not Honor Human Rights Agreements
VOA News
February 24, 2015 12:21 AM

The United States and South Korea will begin their annual joint military exercises early next month,
Seoul announced Tuesday, in a move sure to anger North Korea.

South Korea's Defense Ministry says Key Resolve, a mostly computer simulated exercise, and Foal Eagle,
a larger field training drill, will both begin on March 2.

The war games are a perpetual source of tension on the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang views them as
preparation to invade. Seoul and Washington insist they are deterrent in nature.

Earlier this month, Pyongyang offered to temporarily halt its nuclear weapons testing if the U.S. and
South Korea canceled the military exercises.

Seoul Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told a press briefing Tuesday North Korea's "position
and provocative remarks will have no impact."

"The Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises were planned since last year, and we are conducting them
unrelated to North Korea's stance. They are annual drills of a defensive nature," said Kim.

Kim also said Seoul has informed North Korea of the planned drills, but has not yet received a response.

North Korea, which has carried out three nuclear tests, has in the past used the drills as an occasion to
threaten a preemptive nuclear strike against the United States, though experts doubt it has this
capability.

Pyongyang insists its nuclear weapons program is defensive in nature and necessary to counter the
28,500 American troops stationed across the border.

The two Koreas have been technically in a state of war for more than 60 years. The agreement that
ended the 1950-53 civil war hostilities was only a truce.

The Key Resolve war game exercise will last from March 2 to 13 and will involve about 10,000 South
Korean and 8,600 U.S. troops. Foal Eagle will last until April 24 and is expected to include 200,000 South
Korean and 3,700 U.S. soldiers.

Print
Comment
Share:

Pin It
YOU MAY LIKE

VOA Exclusive: Video Interview With Freed Swedish Journalist in Syria

Less than 24 hours after his release late Saturday, Joakim Medin tells VOA how he was arrested and
detained in northern Syrian Kurdish town of Qamishli More
A general view of the damage caused by a bomb blast is seen at the gate of the Iranian ambassador's
residence in Tripoli, Libya, Feb. 22, 2015.
Islamic State Having Significant but Limited Impact in Libya
US officials caution that Islamic State's foothold in Libya remains tenuous More
A view shows a burnt compound after an attack by Boko Haram militants in the village of Ngouboua,
Feb. 13, 2015. Boko Haram fighters attacked the village in Chad on Friday.
Boko Haram Resorts to Guerilla Tactics as Pressure Mounts
Sect has been staging attacks outside its usual areas of strength as military gains force a strategic shift
More
Comment on this forum
Comments
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one

FEATURED VIDEOS

Pakistan Literary Festival Defies Violence

Pakistan Literary Festival Defies Violence New Fighting Sends Surge of Refugees to Sudan's Border
Region Birdman Tops Academy Awards With IS Forced Out, Village Life Returns for Some in Syria
Oscar Nominee 'Leviathan' Stirs Controversy in Russia With Yemen Near Civil War, UN Envoy Hails Talks
Breakthrough Picket Fence of Super Towers Rises in New York Stocks Soar As Greece Reaches
Emergency Loan Deal With Eurozone Germany Returns Antique Books Stolen in Italy Obama Calls
Chicago's Pullman District a 'Milestone' in US Journey In Philippines, a Debate Over Links Between Guns
and Violent Crime Fighters Not the Only Foreigners Seeking IS

VOA SPECIAL REPORT

ALL ABOUT AMERICA

All About America-Asian American Politicians

All About America Promo-Alaska
All About America-Religion

DAY IN PHOTOS

CIRCUMVENTING CENSORSHIP

Teaser image for circumvention site

An Internet Primer for Healthy Web Habits
As surveillance and censoring technologies advance, so, too, do new tools for your computer or mobile
device that help protect your privacy and break through Internet censorship.
More
MORE ASIA NEWS

FILE - IPCC Working Group III Chairman Rajendra Pachauri attends a news conference.
Pachauri Quits UN Climate Panel After Sexual Harassment Complaint
Zabul province, Afghanistan
Gunmen Abduct 30 Shi'ites in Southern Afghanistan
FILE - Medical personnel in protective suits stand by an ambulance at the Sunan International Airport in
Pyongyang, North Korea.

North Koreas Ebola Restrictions Impede Economic Growth for Political Gain
Union leader Ma Moe Wai of the Tai Yi footwear factory workers speaks to her colleagues about their
new wage contract. (Steve Herman/VOA News)
Myanmar Warns Workers to End Strikes
FILE - This combination of two file photos from Jan. 24, 2006, left, and Jan. 26, 2006 shows Australian
drug traffickers Myuran Sukumaran, left, and Andrew Chan during their trial in Bali, Indonesia.
Indonesia Court Rejects Appeal by Australians on Death Row
Maldives police try to move former president Mohamed Nasheed during a scuffle as he arrives at a
courthouse in Male, February 23, 2015.
US Concerned Over Arrest of Maldivian Ex-President
FILE - U.S. and South Korean Marines run from a South Korean assault amphibious vehicle during joint
military exercises in Pohang, south of Seoul, April 26, 2013.
US, South Korea to Hold Annual War Drills
FILE - Myanmar army soldiers walk along a road near Laukkai, Feb. 17, 2015.
Myanmar, Rebels Exchange Fire, Accusations
FILE - Li Xiaolin, the daughter of former Chinese Premier Li Peng, attends a news conference, Jan. 22,
2014.
Li Family Could Face Scrutiny in China Anti-Corruption Drive
A photo run by the Tien Phong newspaper shows Vietnam's former Communist party chief Nong
Duc Manh in what is reported to be his opulently decorated home.
Controversial Vietnamese Photo Taken Offline After Backlash
More Articles
BLOGS

Science World
Tiny Protein Keeps Heart Beating in Time 16 hours ago
Science Scanner A Fish for Your Wounds? US Megadroughts; Help for MRI Stress 10 days ago
Practice is the Key to Good Singing 13 days ago
The Student Union
CampusUSA: Community College An Affordable Start to a Great Education 22 hours ago
Photos: Asian Students Bring Lunar New Year to Georgetown University 4 days ago

Lunar New Year in the US: Not Just Chinese New Year 4 days ago
Most Viewed
'Birdman' Takes Most Oscars
Foreign Fighter: American Joins Battle Against Islamic State
US Homeland Security Chief Calls for Vigilance Following New Video
UK: More Costs for Russia Possible Over Ukraine
Boko Haram Resorts to Guerilla Tactics as Pressure Mounts
Most Emailed
Foreign Fighter: American Joins Battle Against Islamic State
US West Coast Ports Begin Working on Cargo Backlog
11 Ways to Keep Yourself Safe Online
Australia to Challenge Radical Islam Online
US Names First Envoy for Gay Rights
Most Discussed
Report to Allege Direct Kremlin Link to Ukraine Invasion (30)
Foreign Fighter: American Joins Battle Against Islamic State (15)
'Birdman' Takes Most Oscars (8)
Malcolm X Remembered, 50 Years After His Death (7)
Turkey's Evacuation of Tomb Guards In Syria Draws Rebuke (7)
SERVICES:PodcastRSSMail SubscriptionMobile

VOANews.com
USA
Africa
Asia
Mideast
Europe
Americas
Science & Technology

Health
Arts & Entertainment
Business & Economy
Blogs
Video
Editorials
About VOA
Media Relations
Contact Us
Job Opportunities
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy
Our Languages
Usage Requests
Our Partners
RFE/RL
Radio Free Asia
MBN
Radio Marti
Our Broadcasts
Frequencies and Schedules
Pronunciation Guide
Broadcast Programs