S.Korea, US kick off largest-ever joint military drills / YTN

South Korea and its solid ally the United States kicked off their joint military drills today (Monday) amid growing tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula.

Seoul's defense officials said that the annual South Korean-US military exercises code-named "Key Resolve" and "Foal Eagle" will be staged from March 7 to April 30. The exercises for this year are known to be the largest-ever in scale, mobilizing the most advanced high-tech weapons.

This year's edition of the exercise will involve more than 300,000 South Korean and 15,000 U.S. troops and simulate previously unattempted operational strategies.

The Key Resolve exercise is reportedly to involve the "OPLAN 5015", which aims to remove the North's weapons of mass destruction and prepare the allied armed forces for pre-emptive strikes in the event of warfare on the peninsula. It is the first time that the operational plan has been applied to the Key Resolve maneuver.

Seoul's defense officials said such U.S. strategic military assets as nuclear-powered submarines and B-2 stealth bombers will be mobilized during the exercises.

Meanwhile, this year's Ssangyong military exercise, the two allies' joint marine corps drill, will also be staged on the largest-ever scale, involving about a combined 17,000 South Korean and American marine and navy forces. It runs from today to March 18.

[ 한국 뉴스 채널 와이티엔 / Korea News Channel YTN ]