South Korea and the U.S. Combined Forces Command said Monday a major annual military exercise will begin on August 16.
The 10-day drill, called Ulchi Freedom Guardian, is a computer-assisted simulation exercise designed to improve the ability to defend South Korea. The focus will be on training service members while exercising senior leaders' decision-making capabilities.
The CFC says North Korea has been informed about the exercise and has been assured that the drills are defense-oriented only.
North Korea routinely slams military drills in the South as practice for an invasion. Washington and Seoul have repeatedly refuted the claims.