War games raise tensions in region

No to military drills: Protesters shouting slogans as they rally against the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise in Seoul. — AFP

The country and the United States began their annual large-scale joint military exercise to better cope with threats by nuclear-armed North Korea, which has warned the drills would deepen regional tensions and vowed to respond to “any provocation” against its territory.

The 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield, the second of two large-scale exercises held annually in South Korea, after another set in March, will involve 21,000 soldiers, including 18,000 South Koreans, in computer-simulated command post operations and field training.