JoongAng Daily August 23, 2005
U.S., South Korean forces begin annual war games
By Mingi Hyun
August 23, 2005 ㅡ The United States Forces Korea and the South Korean military began their annual Ulchi Focus Lens exercise yesterday, and Pyongyang issued its annual criticism of them.
The simulations are designed to let the two armed forces prepare for military operations on the Korean Peninsula under an array of situations, reportedly related to a potential North Korean invasion.
The exercise is known to cover the three main theaters of war: ground, sea and air. Emphasis is placed on interoperability between the allied forces and the coordination of joint operations, with which South Korean forces have less experience than do U.S. troops.
The North Korean regime condemned the exercises, claiming that the war games were "a large-scale nuclear war exercise targeting [North Korea]."
According to Globalsecurity.org, Ulchi is the name of a famous Korean general from the Goguryeo Kingdom who succeeded in pushing Chinese armed forces out of Goguryeo territory.
© Copyright 2005, JoongAng Daily
