Some 18,000 South Korean soldiers take part in a joint military exercise with the US to test reaction to North Korean threats

The annual military exercise, involving 18,000 South Korean troops, focuses on testing responses to nuclear threats, missile attacks and cyber warfare. In a tense climate, North Korea is expanding its nuclear program and refusing to engage with the US and South Korea while stepping up military cooperation with Russia. Also, due to the heatwave, almost half of training programs have been postponed to September.