South Korean and US troops are conducting live-fire exercises to prepare for potential surprise artillery attacks from North Korea, similar to the recent assault by the Hamas terror group on Israel. This decision comes amid heightened concerns after the Hamas assault and considering North Korea’s forward-deployed artillery’s threat to Seoul.
Key Points:
- South Korean and US military exercises this week are focused on potential “Hamas-style surprise artillery attacks” from North Korea.
- The drills were prompted by the Hamas terror group’s recent assault on Israel, which heightened security concerns in South Korea.
- North Korea’s forward-deployed artillery has the capacity to fire around 16,000 rounds per hour, posing a significant threat to Seoul, which is only 25-30 miles from the North Korean border.
- The three-day exercises involve 5,400 South Korean and US soldiers, 300 artillery systems, and 1,000 vehicles and air force assets.
- North Korea usually perceives significant US-South Korean military training as invasion rehearsals and has historically responded with missile tests.