SEOUL — The South Korean and U.S. military on Aug. 20 began an annual major joint exercise to test defenses against North Korea, a drill denounced by Pyongyang which vowed to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.
More than 30,000 U.S. troops, including most of those based in the South plus 3,000 from overseas, are taking part in the drill known as Ulchi Freedom Guardian, which ends Aug. 31, the U.S. forces said in a statement.
Seoul’s defense ministry could not say how many South Korean troops were taking part but Yonhap news agency put the number at 56,000.
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