09.03.2026 11:04
As the United States and South Korea launched the Freedom Shield exercise involving approximately 18,000 troops during a period of ongoing war in the Middle East, claims emerged regarding the redeployment of some U.S. military assets to the region. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to respond by labeling such exercises as "invasion rehearsals."
The United States and South Korea have launched a large-scale military exercise during a period of ongoing conflict in the Middle East. It has been reported that tens of thousands of soldiers are participating in the exercise called Freedom Shield.
The United States and South Korea have initiated a new phase of the annual joint military exercise known as "Freedom Shield." The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that approximately 18,000 South Korean soldiers will participate in the exercise, which will last until March 19. The number of U.S. soldiers participating has not been officially disclosed.
THE TIMING IS STRIKING
The exercise's commencement during a time of increasing tensions between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East has drawn attention. South Korean media reported claims that the Washington administration has shifted some military assets from the Korean Peninsula to the Middle East to support operations against Iran.
The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) stated that they would not comment on the movement of military assets for security reasons. South Korean officials also did not confirm reports that some Patriot air defense systems and military equipment have been moved to the Middle East, but they indicated that this would not significantly affect the joint defense capabilities of the two countries.
REACTION FROM NORTH KOREA IS EXPECTED
The Freedom Shield exercise is expected to provoke a strong reaction from North Korea. The Pyongyang administration has long characterized the joint military exercises of the U.S. and South Korea as "invasion rehearsals" and uses these exercises as justification for its own weapons tests and military displays. The U.S. and South Korea emphasize that the exercises are purely defensive in nature.
North Korea had effectively suspended the dialogue process with Washington and Seoul following the unsuccessful summit between leader Kim Jong Un and then U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. In recent years, the Pyongyang administration has accelerated its nuclear weapons program while also increasing military cooperation with Russia.
EXERCISE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MARCH 19
Freedom Shield is known as one of the command post exercises held twice a year by the U.S. and South Korea. While a large portion of the exercise is conducted through computer simulations, the aim is to test joint operational capabilities.
The exercise will also be accompanied by field training known as "Warrior Shield." However, it has been reported that the number of field exercises this year has been reduced from 51 last year to 22.
Analysts believe that the reduction in the scope of the exercise may have been made to pave the way for possible diplomatic contacts with North Korea. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had previously expressed that they were open to diplomacy with Pyongyang.