South Korea-United States exercises at the Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon on May 25, 2023. (Photo: Yonhap/ VNA)

Some 2,500 troops from the South and the US took part in the exercises, which will be held four more times from now until mid-June, South Korea’s defense ministry said.

Last week, North Korea’s state media reported that leader Kim Jong Un had approved final preparations for the launch of the North’s first military spy satellite. Mr. Kim has said it is necessary to counter threats from the US and South Korea.