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China-Japan-Koreas
ROK, U.S. to conduct annual military drills in late Feb
2014-01-12
SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States will start their annual military drills next month, military officials said Thursday, despite North Korea's rejection of family reunions citing the planned exercises. The computer-based simulation, called Key Resolve, will be held for two weeks in late February to early March to improve the combined forces' operation and combat capabilities to deter threats from the North.

The Combined Forces Command (CFC) said forces of the two nations are currently preparing for the exercise, without elaborating on the details of the schedule and participating forces.

"This exercise is one of two major annual combined exercises on the Korean peninsula. Key Resolve focuses on crisis management and command and the control of alliance forces," the CFC said in a release. "We will exercise and train in accordance with our current alliance arrangements."

Following Key Resolve, a joint field training exercise called Foal Eagle will run through the end of April to test the combat readiness of South Korea and U.S. forces.

The large-scale drills are expected to draw a strong irrational response from the North, which has routinely denounced them as a practice invasion. Although Pyongyang has routinely called the annual training a rehearsal for a northward invasion, its rhetoric turned more hostile last year under young leader Fat Boy Kim Jong-un, even threatening nuclear strikes against the South and the U.S.

Seoul's defense ministry said it will hold the joint drills as planned.

"As long as the military exists, training is necessary," ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said. "Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises are defensive drills."

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin earlier predicted the high probability of North Korean provocations between late January and early March, apparently mindful of unprovoked attacks in response to the drills.

According to military officials, South Korean and U.S. forces have recently stepped up their vigilance, as the North may launch provocations in protest of the allies' joint drills.
Posted by:Steve White

#2  Would be fun to announce an all comers Banjo Pickoff and BBQ right at the edge of the DMZ. Feats of strength, gun-shows and Western Country Musik included. 1000 year old Egg meets 1 month old Whiskey.
Posted by: Shipman   2014-01-12 12:44  

#1  Ah, a "computer-based simulation."

Much better than cruising in below-zero temps off the NorK coast.
Posted by: Pappy   2014-01-12 12:43  

00:00