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70 Years Of US-Korea Mutual Defense Treaty, US, ROK To Commemorate With ‘Largest-Ever’ Live-Fire Drills

South Korea and the United States are gearing up to kick off their largest joint live-fire drills to date in celebration of the 70th anniversary of their enduring alliance, the South Korean Defense Ministry announced. 

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The event, slated to take place later this month, will showcase the strength and synergy of the Korean and American armed forces. The two countries will conduct five rounds of joint military exercises from May 25 to June 15. 

It will take place at the Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, located about 52 kilometers northeast of Seoul, according to a statement from Seoul’s MoD. 

In what is being hailed as the ‘largest-ever joint military exercise,’ this year’s drills between Seoul and Washington will also coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the South Korean military. 

The joint exercise will feature an impressive display of military might and coordination between the two allies. This is a significant milestone, as both countries are boosting their cooperation in the face of the growing North Korean threat. 




US-Korea
US and South Korean fighters are flying over South Korea during a joint military drill on September 18, 2017 (South Korean Defense Ministry)

Among the notable assets set to participate in the exercise are the formidable F-35A stealth fighters, known for their advanced capabilities. In addition, the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will demonstrate their versatility, while the K2 tanks will also showcase their enhanced mobility and firepower. 

The drill will also witness the deployment of the Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, capable of firing different caliber missiles and rockets. 

Since 1977, there have been over ten notable firepower demonstrations, comprising both joint exercises and drills conducted solely by South Korea. These exercises have served as prominent showcases of military capabilities over the years.

The last demonstration of this scale occurred in 2017, involving the mobilization of 48 units from both South Korea and the United States. Over 2,000 troops participated in the exercise. 

In commemoration of the momentous anniversary, South Korea is embarking on a program to celebrate and honor the occasion. 

As part of these celebrations, South Korea has expressed its intention to host this year’s Armed Forces Day ceremony, with the inclusion of the US Forces Korea, in late September.




File Image: South Korean F-15K Jets

Seventy Years Of The ROK-US Alliance

The South Korea-US alliance was established 70 years ago after the Korean War. The foundation of the alliance can be traced back to October 1, 1953, with the signing of the Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty. 

As mentioned, this pivotal treaty was established in the aftermath of the Korean War (1950-1953), a conflict that witnessed the loss of approximately 37,000 American lives who fought alongside their South Korean counterparts.

The Korean War commenced on June 25, 1950, when North Korea launched a surprise invasion of South Korea. In response to this aggression, the United States became the first foreign country to intervene in the conflict and assist South Korea. 

The US intervention took place just two days after the outbreak of hostilities. The post-war treaty, the Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty, established a crucial commitment between the two nations. 

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