S. Korea, US conduct 1st joint short-range air defense exercise

SEOUL – 30 September 2017:South Korea and the United States have conducted a joint short-range air defense drill to counter growing military threats from North Korea.

In a statement on Saturday, the US Pacific Command said that the drill was conducted with the participation of South Korea's air defense unit and soldiers from the US Air Defense Artillery Regiment in northern Seoul, the Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

The field exercise allowed the South Korean and US troops to gain familiarity with each other's weapon systems and capabilities, with an end goal of building an enduring partnership between the two units, the statement noted.

A South Korean military official said that the south's military forces are ready to respond to North Korean violations and provocations, Yonhap stated.

Fears are growing about a probable military conflict that may take place between Washington and North Korea.