The United States and South Korea have started their regular joint military exercise aimed at preparing for a contingency on the Korean Peninsula.

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began in South Korea on Monday and will run through August 28. It is the first joint military exercise since President Lee Jae-myung took office in June.

The South Korean military says the drills are being conducted on the same scale as usual.

About half of the roughly 40 field training exercises have been postponed until next month. South Korean military officials say the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of the extreme heat, the need to maintain defense readiness and other factors.

Multiple South Korean media outlets have reported that the postponement may reflect consideration for North Korea, as the Lee administration seeks to resume dialogue.

North Korea strongly opposes the joint exercises and has emphasized it will not hesitate to take countermeasures.

The US and South Korean militaries are stepping up vigilance and surveillance over the North's moves.

nhk