AUGUST 28 (Reuters) — Troops from the United States and South Korea on Friday (August 28) held a live-fire exercise, as a part of their annual military drill “Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG)”.
About 2,000 troops from both countries participated in the Friday’s drill while 97 tanks and armored vehicles, 120 artilleries, 45 helicopters as well as 42 fighter jets, were mobilized, South Korean defense ministry said.
“Our military has full readiness and has strong capabilities and will as well as brave spirit so that we can beat the enemy and sternly smash its provocation,” said South Korean Lieutenant Colonel, Heo Jin-nyeong, saying.
Troops staged their largest scale joint drill to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan’s colonial rule, the defense ministry added.
“Through this exercise, we are learning about the R.O.K (Republic of Korea) and U.S. joint capabilities. This exercise is actually showing our capabilities in case of any provocative actions from the North. We are learning a lot from each other and showing our capabilities out here in case of any provocative actions,” said U.S. Captain, Jason Yu.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye observed the military drill with military officials, the presidential office said.
There are around 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, where the United States has maintained a large military presence since the 1950-53 Korean War.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercise began on April 17 and it continues until August 28.
North and South Korea are still technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce without a peace treaty.
