South Korea and the United States today began their first joint naval maneuvers in five years near the Korean Peninsula, a day after North Korea launched a ballistic missile, AFP reported.

The US is a key security ally of South Korea, where nearly 28,500 US troops are stationed to defend the country against its nuclear-armed northern neighbour.

Conservative South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who came to power in May, has sought to strengthen this military alliance after the previous cabinet's failed attempts at diplomatic rapprochement with Pyongyang.

This exercise was prepared to demonstrate the firm will of the alliance existing between South Korea and the United States to respond to North Korean provocations, the South Korean armed forces said in a statement.

More than twenty ships, including the American nuclear aircraft carrier "Ronald Reagan", as well as significant air forces, are involved in the four-day exercise.

The program provides for simulations of sea battles and anti-submarine warfare, tactical maneuvers and other operations at sea.

US aircraft carrier docks in South Korea

Yesterday, Pyongyang conducted a test launch of a ballistic missile - the latest so far in a long series that began months ago.

In addition, North Korea, sanctioned by the international community for its weapons programs, adopted a new military doctrine in early September, according to which the country will never give up its nuclear weapons. 

Washington and Seoul have long held joint military maneuvers.

They insist the drills are purely defensive in nature, but North Korea sees them as a dress rehearsal for an invasion of its territory in the future.

Last month, the United States and South Korea held their largest joint military exercises since 2018. However, their scale was limited due to COVID-19 and the already ended diplomatic warming between Seoul and Pyongyang, BTA notes.

USA