US and South Korea Launch Joint Military Exercise Amid Tensions with North Korea

Tensions between the United States and North Korea could flare up again amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The United States and South Korea begin a large-scale joint military exercise'Freedom Shield'on Monday. Thousands of troops will participate in the exercise. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the exercise will involve an estimated 18,000 South Korean troops. However, US Forces Korea disclosed the exact number of American troops. However, the exercise is taking place at a time when there is speculation in the South Korean media that Washington is diverting some military resources from South Korea to the conflict against Iran. The US military has declined to comment on the movement of military assets for security reasons. South Korean officials have also been silent on reports of sending the Patriot anti-missile system to Israel or other parts of the Middle East, but have assured that it will not affect joint defense exercises such as'Freedom Shield '.