DefenseSouth Korea, US to hold annual military exercises
Ulchi Freedom Shield drills come as North Korea gains experience aiding Russia
U.S. and South Korean soldiers take part in a joint river-crossing exercise, part of their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield training, in Yeoju, South Korea, on Aug. 27, 2025. © Reuters
STEVEN BOROWIEC
August 10, 2026 16:50 JST
SEOUL -- The South Korean and U.S. militaries will later this month carry out large-scale exercises aimed at bolstering defenses against regional threats, as the two sides work toward the eventual transfer of wartime operational command (OPCON) authority to Seoul.