Hong Kong. August 22. INTERFAX - Regular joint military exercises of South Korea and the United States "Ulchi Freedom Shield" started on Monday, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
It noted that these maneuvers "resumed large-scale field exercises suspended four years ago, as the allies seek to strengthen defense in the face of increasing North Korean nuclear and missile threats."
The exercises will last until September 1 and include working out actions in case of unforeseen circumstances. In particular, it provides for repelling North Korean attacks and protecting the greater Seoul area, and counterattacking operations will be practiced for this.
According to the South Korean Defense Ministry, the exercises envisage "various real-life scenarios, including the detection of improvised explosive devices at nuclear power plants, a fire at a semiconductor factory, paralysis of the banking network, terrorism at airports and drone attacks."
The media note that the exercises may cause a sharp negative reaction from Pyongyang, and therefore Seoul and Washington "remain vigilant."
Beijing has previously expressed concern about their conduct. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters last week that "North Korea has repeatedly expressed its concern" about the joint exercises.
