North Korea army conducts live-fire military exercises in response US South Korea manoeuvres 0603124

These military exercises are a response to the the joint maneuvers of U.S. forces and South Korea.

The annual combined Field Training Exercise, part of Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2012, is conducted between the Republic of Korea and United States Forces Korea (USFK) and is one of the largest annual military training exercises in the world. The annual training has in the past caused tensions with North Korea.

The United States and South Korea began their annual spring training exercise Monday, March 5, 202, against the backdrop of a North Korea that appears more volatile than it did a year ago.

This year’s Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise is expected to focus more than in previous years on defending against small, sudden attacks like North Korea’s on a South Korean warship last March and Yeonpyeong Island in November, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

About 12,800 U.S. and 200,000 South Korean troops are participating in the exercise. Key Resolve is the computer-based simulation portion, while Foal Eagle is the peninsula-wide training portion of the drill. Key Resolve is scheduled to end March 10, and Foal Eagle on April 30. A U.S. aircraft carrier is expected to take part in this year’s Foal Eagle, although details have not been announced.