The exercise shows the strong resolve of the South Korea-US alliance and its perfect readiness to respond to any provocation by North Korea, the Ministry said.

The US and South Korean militaries have expanded joint military exercises in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz was sent to maritime exercises with South Korea last week and anti-submarine exercises with South Korea and Japan this week.

Envoys of the US, South Korea and Japan will meet in Seoul this Friday to discuss how to respond to North Korea's recent missile tests.