South Korea and the United States began joint military exercises on Monday, March 13, which North Korea interpreted as an invasion rehearsal. North Korea responded by announcing the start of submarine-launched missile testing.
Eleven days of joint US-South Korean exercises are planned, and North Korea launched missiles from a submarine on March 12.
The Freedom Shield 23 and Warrior Shield FTX joint field exercises will be computer-simulated as part of the US-South Korea exercises.
The simulation’s goal is to fortify South Korea’s defenses and ability to respond to North Korea’s growing nuclear threat.
In a statement, the US military confirmed that the joint exercises were intended to improve cooperation between the US and South Korea in the areas of space, air, sea, land, special operations, and cyberspace. The drills will help military strategy, training, and procedure.
North Korea claimed on Sunday that it launched two cruise missiles from a submarine in retaliation for military exercises conducted by the US and its “puppet forces” in South Korea.
The North Korean news agency, Korean Central News, claimed the missiles were strategic and that their launch demonstrated the North’s “nuclear war deterrence,” implying that the cruise missiles will be armed with nuclear weapons.
According to reports, the cruise missiles demonstrated their capabilities by flying for more than two hours and striking targets over 900 miles away.
Submarine-launched missile systems make it more difficult for targets to detect North Korean missile launches, in addition to allowing North Korea to launch retaliatory strikes.
North Korea’s cruise missiles were the country’s first missiles launched from a submarine. Ballistic missiles were used in previous tests.
In response to North Korea’s submarine threats, South Korea has attempted to modernize its military.
Experts are saying North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, is attempting to coerce the United States into recognizing North Korea as a legitimate nuclear power in order to lift economic sanctions against his country.
