(VOVWORLD) - The US and South Korea will start a 10-day joint exercise called “Ulchi Freedom Guardian” (UFG), starting Sunday, as tensions had escalated over North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons program, the Pentagon said on Friday.
 US Defense Secretary James Mattis (Photo: EPA/VNA)
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The statement said 17,500 US service members will join in the exercise in addition to troops from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the UK. The Pentagon said UFG is computer simulated defensive exercise designed to enhance readiness, protect the region, and maintain stability on the Korean peninsula.
On Thursday, North Korea’s KCNA news agency warned of “catastrophe” if the US-South Korea joint exercise goes ahead. China suggested the US and South Korea stop the drill, but the proposal was rejected by both Washington and Seoul.