South Korea-US Alliance
North Korea fires projectile during South Korea-US joint drills
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North Korea fired at least one unidentified projectile eastward on Saturday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The launch occurred as South Korea and the United States conducted their key springtime military exercise. Pyongyang has long criticized the allies' drills as preparations for an invasion.
The South Korean and U.S. militaries have postponed announcing a date for their major springtime Freedom Shield exercise due to differences over the scale of on-field drills. The U.S. expressed reluctance to South Korea's proposal to minimize field training, citing already arrived troops and equipment. The two sides plan to announce the exercise later this month or early March.
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The Trump administration's new National Security Strategy, released on December 5, raises questions about South Korea's security and its role in the Indo-Pacific by prioritizing Taiwan defense and omitting North Korean denuclearization goals. The document urges South Korea and Japan to build capabilities to defend the First Island Chain and stresses increased burden-sharing among allies. It reaffirms the U.S. 'America First' principles.