US and South Korean forces have begun conducting a regular joint military exercise to prepare for a possible emergency on the Korean Peninsula. The drills started on Monday, but there will be fewer field training sessions than last year.

The Freedom Shield exercise will be carried out in South Korea through March 19.

The aim of the exercise is to strengthen deterrence against threats posed by North Korea's nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction. The militaries plan to hold 22 field training sessions.

That is less than half of last year's number. There were 51 in 2025. At that time, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration in South Korea was taking a tough stance toward North Korea.

The South Korean military says the fewer number of field drills will not have a negative effect because on-field training sessions will also be held outside the time period reserved for the Freedom Shield exercise.

Some South Korean media outlets have reported that the government of President Lee Jae Myung proposed that the exercise be scaled down, as it is trying to reopen dialogue with the North. The US side was reportedly reluctant to accept the idea at first.

North Korea is reacting sharply to the exercise. But in February, the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, indicated that relations between Washington and Pyongyang may improve, if the US withdraws its hostile policy.

nhk