The Korea-U.S. joint exercise called "Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS)" is scheduled to take place this month, and some of the outdoor mobility drills conducted during this period may be postponed until after September.
According to military authorities on the 1st, the UFS exercise will conduct a command post exercise based on simulations as scheduled, but some of the outdoor mobility drills are under discussion for postponement due to the heat wave. This UFS exercise is the first joint training since the inauguration of Lee Jae-myung's government.
Typically, 30 to 40 outdoor mobility drills have been conducted, and it is reported that about 10 of these may be subject to postponement. The outdoor mobility drills were suspended during Moon Jae-in's administration in 2018 and were revived in 2022.
Military authorities believe that while postponing outdoor mobility drills linked to the Korea-U.S. command post exercise scenario and those involving U.S. military equipment may be difficult, they can exercise flexibility with regard to other drills.
Earlier, Minister Jeong Dong-young stated that he would propose adjustments to the Korea-U.S. joint exercises as one of the cards for engaging North Korea. North Korea has consistently opposed the Korea-U.S. joint exercises each time they have been conducted.
Korea-U.S. military authorities are said to have decided to refrain from publicizing the outdoor mobility drills during the UFS exercise period.