US, S. Korea Begin Biggest Military Exercises in Years
2022-08-23
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1The United States and South Korea are holding their biggest joint military exercises in years.
2The Ulchi Freedom Shield training operation opened Monday in South Korea.
3The exercises are happening during increasing tensions with North Korea, which has sharply increased weapons testing this year.
4Last month, its leader, Kim Jong Un, again threatened to use nuclear weapons in reaction to conflict with South Korea and the U.S.
5The joint exercises will continue through September 1.
6The training involves airplanes, warships, tanks and thousands of troops.
7The U.S. and South Korea say their military preparations are for defensive purposes.
8But North Korea describes the two countries as training for an invasion.
9American and South Korean forces reportedly will simulate efforts such as combined attacks, resupply of arms, and removal of nuclear weapons.
10The allies will also train for drone attacks and other new developments in warfare.
11Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have grown since the failure of a meeting between Kim and former President Donald Trump in 2019.
12The U.S. rejected North Korea's offer to close an old nuclear center in exchange for an end to U.S. sanctions.
13Kim has promised to strengthen his nuclear weapons abilities since that time.
14South Korean and U.S. military officials have not said how many troops are taking part in Ulchi Freedom Shield.
15The exercises follow North Korea's dismissal last week of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's proposal of economic support in exchange for ending its nuclear program.
16North Korea accused South Korea of using old proposals that have been rejected already.
17Kim Yo Jong is the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
18She called Yoon's proposal foolish. She said her country has no desire to surrender its nuclear weapons.
19And, last week, she warned of "deadly" retaliation against South Korea over a recent North Korean COVID-19 outbreak.
20There are concerns that the threat could lead to nuclear or missile tests or even small fights at the border.
21Last week, North Korea launched what experts suspect was two cruise missiles.
22So far in 2022, North Korean weapons testing has included more than 30 ballistic missile launches, including the country's first launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in almost five years.
23Experts say North Korea is increasing its testing so that it can negotiate economic and security demands from a position of strength.
24There are also some signs that it is preparing to test nuclear weapons.
25I'm Dan Novak.
1The United States and South Korea are holding their biggest joint military exercises in years. 2The Ulchi Freedom Shield training operation opened Monday in South Korea. The exercises are happening during increasing tensions with North Korea, which has sharply increased weapons testing this year. Last month, its leader, Kim Jong Un, again threatened to use nuclear weapons in reaction to conflict with South Korea and the U.S. 3The joint exercises will continue through September 1. The training involves airplanes, warships, tanks and thousands of troops. 4The U.S. and South Korea say their military preparations are for defensive purposes. But North Korea describes the two countries as training for an invasion. 5American and South Korean forces reportedly will simulate efforts such as combined attacks, resupply of arms, and removal of nuclear weapons. 6The allies will also train for drone attacks and other new developments in warfare. 7Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have grown since the failure of a meeting between Kim and former President Donald Trump in 2019. The U.S. rejected North Korea's offer to close an old nuclear center in exchange for an end to U.S. sanctions. 8Kim has promised to strengthen his nuclear weapons abilities since that time. 9South Korean and U.S. military officials have not said how many troops are taking part in Ulchi Freedom Shield. 10The exercises follow North Korea's dismissal last week of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's proposal of economic support in exchange for ending its nuclear program. North Korea accused South Korea of using old proposals that have been rejected already. 11Kim Yo Jong is the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. She called Yoon's proposal foolish. She said her country has no desire to surrender its nuclear weapons. And, last week, she warned of "deadly" retaliation against South Korea over a recent North Korean COVID-19 outbreak. 12There are concerns that the threat could lead to nuclear or missile tests or even small fights at the border. 13Last week, North Korea launched what experts suspect was two cruise missiles. So far in 2022, North Korean weapons testing has included more than 30 ballistic missile launches, including the country's first launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in almost five years. 14Experts say North Korea is increasing its testing so that it can negotiate economic and security demands from a position of strength. There are also some signs that it is preparing to test nuclear weapons. 15I'm Dan Novak. 16Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press. 17___________________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19simulate - v. to look, feel, or behave like 20drone - n. a type of small aircraft that flies without a pilot 21sanction - n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc. 22ballistic missile - adj. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes 23__________________________________________________________________ 24We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 25Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.