The exercises are part of a series of events marking the 70th
anniversary of the alliance between the two countries this year.
"We've planned various anniversary programmes focusing on realising
'peace through strength' through action based on our strategic
deterrence capabilities and the solid combined defence posture amid
North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats," the ministry
said in a statement.
"During the live-fire exercises, the combined forces will
demonstrate the alliance's formidable firepower and mobility on an
unprecedented scale."
South Korea plans to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of
its military in September with a display by the allies' forces of
their "overwhelming deterrence and response capabilities" against
the North, that will include South Korea's missile defence system,
the ministry said.
In recent weeks, North Korea has been ramping up its military tests,
firing an intercontinental ballistic missile last week and
conducting a nuclear counterattack simulation against the U.S. and
South Korea over the weekend.
The United States has about 28,500 troops in South Korea.
U.S. and South Korean forces have been carrying out various types of
military training in recent weeks including air and sea drills
involving American B-1B bombers, and their first large-scale
amphibious landing exercises in five years.
North Korea has reacted furiously to those drills, calling them a
rehearsal for its invasion.
(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Robert Birsel)
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