South Korea and the United States have begun annual military exercises over the objection of North Korea, which has claimed they are rehearsals for an invasion.
The drills - called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle - kicked off Monday, despite Pyongyang's repeated calls for their cancelation at the threat of scrapping family reunions the North later agreed to carry out.
Key Resolve lasts just over a week and is largely computer-simulated, while the eight-week Foal Eagle drill involves air, ground and naval field training.
About 28,000 American troops are stationed in South Korea to help deter North Korea aggression.
This story first appeared on Voice of America & is reposted here with permission.