[Exclusive] COVID-19 Also Reduces ROK-US Joint Exercises... More Than Half of Army Forces Cut

It has been reported that South Korea and the United States will begin joint military exercises starting on the 5th. The photo shows a US 2nd Infantry Division M1A2 SEP tank crossing a pontoon bridge during the South Korea-US joint river crossing operation training held at the Hantan River in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, in December 2015.

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] This year, it has been revealed that small-scale combined exercises between South Korea and the United States were scaled down due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Until now, the South Korean and U.S. military authorities have maintained the South Korea-U.S. alliance through small-scale combined exercises instead of large-scale joint drills, but there are concerns that if the spread of COVID-19 does not subside, the combined defense posture will inevitably weaken.

According to military authorities on the 22nd, small-scale combined exercises involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force were held 81 times in 2018 (Army 31 times, Navy 37 times, Air Force 13 times), but last year increased to 166 times (89, 54, 23 respectively), more than doubling. The significant increase in small-scale exercises last year was because after the first U.S.-North Korea summit in 2018, President Trump suspended the so-called three major South Korea-U.S. combined exercises: Key Resolve, Foal Eagle, and Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG).

The South Korean and U.S. military authorities have taken the position that strengthening small-scale combined exercises can maintain the defense posture. Last year, the Navy added combined missile defense exercises, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) response drills, and U.S. military A-10/AH-64 control exercises, which had not been conducted before, while the Air Force added Ssangmae Training B and CAS (Close Air Support) exercises.

However, this year, due to the spread of COVID-19, even small-scale combined exercises were significantly reduced. The total number of small-scale South Korea-U.S. combined exercises across all forces was reduced to 153. The Army conducted only 29 exercises this year, less than half compared to last year. This was because outdoor training was reduced as part of COVID-19 social distancing measures. Most of the combined exercises in the first half of this year were canceled at the request of the U.S. side. However, the Navy increased to 69 exercises this year, and the Air Force also increased to 55. The explanation is that the Navy and Air Force can maintain social distancing between South Korean and U.S. soldiers even during combined exercises.

A military official said, "Although small-scale exercises were adjusted this year due to the impact of COVID-19, going forward, South Korea and the U.S. will cooperate to adjust the schedules and timing of various combined exercises."