S. Korea, U.S. hold first joint military exercise of 2024 while N. Korea denounces New Year drills

한미, 새해 첫 연합전투사격훈련 북, 남측 새해 정례훈련에 ’전쟁책동’ 트집 Seoul and Washington are currently carrying out their first combat shooting drill of 2024. It’s part of a series of military exercises conducted by South Korea in the new year. North Korea,.. has denounced the latest drills,.. warning that a clash between the two Koreas this year is highly likely. Our defense correspondent Choi Min-jung reports. South Korea and the U.S. have held their first joint combat shooting exercise of the year. According to the military on Thursday, the exercise held near the inter-Korean border in Gyeonggi-do Province and amid a, quote, “severe security situation,“ was to verify inter-operability between Seoul and Washington, and to further strengthen the allies’ operational capabilities. Around 1-hundred-10 vehicles were deployed, including Seoul’s K-1-A-2 tanks, and Washington’s A-10 attack aircraft. The exercise comes shortly after Pyongyang criticized Seoul for beginning the new year with, quote, “self-destructive“ acts, referring to South Korea’s recent artillery exercises and naval firing drills. It also warned that the chances of a clash between the two sides will be at their highest this year. In response to the remarks, South Korea’s defense ministry stressed the necessity of conducting exercises. “We have nothing to say about the vulgar expressions made by North Korea’s media. As you know, conducting exercises is the military’s most fundamental mission and role.“ Meanwhile, South Korea’s Unification Ministry on Thursday warned that North Korea has been attempting to create tension on the Korean Peninsula,.. and interfere with the South’s internal affairs through its year-end key party meeting,.. as well as Kim Yo-jong’s recent statement on President Yoon. The ministry added that such heightened tensions are aimed at interfering with the South’s general election,.. set for April this year. Choi Min-jung, Arirang News. #SouthKorea #UnitedStates #Military #Joint_military_exercise #대한민국 #미국 #한미_연합_훈련 #전투_사격_훈련 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스 📣 Facebook : 📣 Twitter : 📣 Homepage : 2024-01-04, 18:00 (KST)