US-ROK Joint Exercises Conclude Today... Korean Military Command & Largest Outdoor Training in History

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise "Ulchi Freedom Shield" (UFS) is effectively concluding on the 1st. After the exercise, the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff plan to conduct a post-exercise review on the 2nd to assess the outcomes.

According to military authorities, the ROK and U.S. forces will wrap up the second phase of the UFS exercise, which began on the 29th. Earlier, from the 16th to the 19th of this month, a four-day "Crisis Management Exercise," a preliminary drill for UFS, was conducted, followed by the first phase of UFS from the 22nd to the 26th.

The most notable feature of this year's second half UFS is that, for the first time in the history of ROK-U.S. joint exercises, it was conducted under the command of a South Korean Army general (General Ahn Byung-seok, Deputy Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command). Additionally, the largest-ever division-level field maneuver exercise since the formation of the ROK-U.S. Combined Division was carried out.

During the first phase of the UFS exercise, the scenario assumed a "crisis" caused by provocations from North Korea escalating into full-scale war. The ROK-U.S. combined forces transitioned to wartime posture and repelled North Korean attacks. The Ulchi Exercise conducted during this period was the first since the discontinuation of the "Ulchi Freedom Guardian" (UFG) exercise in 2018.

During the second phase of UFS, the ROK and U.S. forces practiced counteroffensive operations against North Korean troops to secure the safety of the Seoul metropolitan area.

In particular, in conjunction with this UFS, the ROK and U.S. forces consecutively conducted 13 types of combined field training exercises (FTX), including attack helicopter firing and maritime patrol operations. From the 29th to the 31st, the ROK-U.S. Combined Division conducted the Combined Joint Fires Coordination Exercise (CJFCX), the largest-ever division-level field maneuver exercise since the division's formation. Both sides plan to expand the scale and types of FTX exercises during UFS starting next year.

Moreover, during this UFS period, an evaluation of the Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the future combined command led by the ROK military was conducted, in accordance with the "Conditions-Based Wartime Operational Control Transfer Plan" between South Korea and the U.S. The FOC evaluation is the second stage of a three-stage assessment to evaluate the theater operational capability of the future combined command, commanded by a four-star general from the ROK military.

Meanwhile, military authorities are closely monitoring the possibility of North Korea engaging in military provocations after the conclusion of this UFS. It is observed that North Korea has been continuously preparing to launch new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs). The Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea is scheduled for the 7th, and the 9th marks the 74th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean regime.

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop also stated during the National Assembly Defense Committee plenary session on the 29th of last month that North Korea continues preparations for launching ICBMs and SRBMs.