South Korea and US Launch Joint Military Drills

South Korean and US troops will soon commence their annual joint military exercises. The exercises, named "Freedom Shield," will occur from Monday to March 20. They aim to enhance military readiness against North Korean threats. The drills will include responses to challenges like North Korea's increasing military partnership with Russia. North Korea views such exercises as invasion rehearsals and often reacts with missile tests.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, recently accused the US of becoming more confrontational and said Pyongyang might increase measures aimed at "threatening the security of the enemy at the strategic level." Observers suggest North Korea might test-fire missiles capable of striking the US mainland and American bases in the region.

President Trump, after his January 20 inauguration, expressed interest in negotiating with Kim Jong Un. They had met three times in 2018 and 2019. Their discussions on nuclear disarmament stalled when Trump rejected an offer to dismantle a major nuclear complex for sanctions relief. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)