SEOUL, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Joint military drills carried out by U.S. and South Korean forces were meant to ensure the Korean Peninsula is adequately defended, a commander said.
An estimated 56,000 troops from South Korea joined 30,000 U.S. troops in Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercises, which began Aug. 20 and ended Friday. Drills were suspended briefly Tuesday because of Typhoon Bolaven.
U.S. Army Gen. James Thurman, director of the Combined Forces Command, said the computer-aided drill was meant to improve the defense against North Korea.
"The exercise was based on realistic scenarios that enabled us to provide valuable training on our essential tasks and ensured we are fully prepared to defend the Republic of Korea," he told the Yonhap news agency in Seoul.
He added the operation was based on a war scenario that envisions a defeat for the 1.2 million troops from the North Korean military.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are high following the December death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. His son, Kim Jong Un, took control of the country. Recent activity at North Korean nuclear sites prompted some analysts to express concern a nuclear test from the regime was imminent.
