US-South Korea Military Drills Amid Tensions

0:00Here's more world news for March 9th. The United States and South Korea kicked off their large-scale freedom shield military exercise on Monday, involving thousands of troops. This comes as the U.S. ramps up its operations in the Middle East. The Allies are running mostly computer simulated drills to test joint defenses against evolving threats. Officials have not confirmed reports of moving some U.S. Patriot missile systems and gear from South Korea to the Middle East. They insist any shifts won't affect the combined defense set up here. Security reasons keep details under wraps. North Korea often blasts these exercises as invasion practice and uses them to justify its own missile tests and shows of force. Dialogue with Pyongyang has been frozen since the 2019 summit collapsed between Kim Jong-un and then President Donald Trump. Tensions spiked as North Korea boosted its nuclear program and teamed up with Russia on weapons and troops. Last month, Kim Jong-un held a key party meeting in Pyongyang, doubling down against South

1:02Korea while hinting at talks with Washington if the U.S. Drops demands for denuclearization first. This year's freedom shield pairs with just 22 field trainings down from 51 last year. South Korean leaders hope dialing back some drills could pave the way for diplomacy. Liberal President Lee Jae-mi-young wants more talks, and there's buzz that a possible Trump visit to China soon might open doors with North Korea. This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, See the episode description. No earbuds, no headbands, no awkward sleeping positions, just a pillow that plays your sound. S-O-L-I, soleypillow.com.