SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- Amid increasing regional tensions and concerns over security, Acting President Choi Sang-mok announced on Tuesday the planned execution of the annual South Korea-U.S. Freedom Shield military exercise next month. Emphasizing national security as the nation’s utmost priority, Choi reiterated the importance of the firm alliance and combined defense posture between South Korea and the United States.
"Our military will carry out the annual South Korea-U.S. Freedom Shield exercise as scheduled in March, based on the firm alliance and combined defense posture between our two nations," Choi stated during a Cabinet meeting. His remarks aim to quell speculation surrounding potential alterations to key joint exercises, including the Freedom Shield drill, which is traditionally held around late February or early March.
The background of these concerns stems from remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously criticized joint military drills as "expensive" war games. During Trump’s administration, the allied nations temporarily reduced or halted major exercises to promote diplomatic dialogue with North Korea. Yet, under President Joe Biden, U.S. and South Korean joint military exercises have been intensified, including coordination with Japan as part of efforts to bolster deterrence against Pyongyang.
Choi articulated, "National security is an absolute priority ... ensuring the nation's survival and economic growth," as South Korea seeks to assert its defensive capabilities against the persistent threat posed by North Korea.
On another note, South Korea continues to hold its place among the world’s military powers, ranking fifth globally, according to the latest assessment by Global Firepower. The annual report, released recently, places the United States at the top with the strongest military power, followed closely by Russia, China, and India. South Korea's Power Index score stands at 0.1656, maintaining its fifth place ranking from the previous year and marking its ascent within the top ten since 2011 when it was positioned seventh.
Despite the progress, experts caution against the ranking system’s limitations, as it primarily evaluates conventional military capabilities without considering nuclear or cyber warfare aspects. North Korea’s military ranking, meanwhile, has improved to 34th globally, which adds to South Korea's concerns about the need for enhanced military readiness.
The comprehensive military assessment takes various factors, including manpower, equipment, logistics, and geography, but as stated, lacks depth around unconventional military aspects.
Acting President Choi's remarks come at a time when both domestic and international entities are monitoring the military dynamics on the Korean Peninsula closely. The Freedom Shield exercise will not only reinforce the commitments made between Seoul and Washington but also serve as a visible indicator of their deterrence strategies against North Korean provocations.
Choi’s affirmation of the scheduled military drills indicates the South Korean government’s continued commitment to prioritizing national security amid fluctuated geopolitical relations. With the looming discussions about military readiness and strategic responses, this drill will showcase the resilience and preparedness of the South Korean military.
South Korea’s consistent ranking within the top-five global military powers reflects growing capabilities and should serve as reassurance to its allies and citizens alike as tensions with North Korea remain high.
Overall, as South Korea gears up for the March exercises, it reflects not only military readiness but also the importance of international cooperation to effectively counter threats within the region.