Us-south Korea "Freedom Shield" military exercise controversial: Regional tensions escalate again?

Under the wide attention of the international community, South Korea and the United States officially launched the 11-day "Freedom Shield" joint military exercise recently. The annual exercises cast a heavy shadow over the Korean Peninsula. North Korea's foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack, calling it a "dangerous provocative act that raises tensions on the Korean peninsula" and warned that a "misfire" could trigger war.

First, from the perspective of North Korea, the "Freedom Shield" military exercise is undoubtedly a direct threat to its national security. The DPRK Foreign Ministry clearly pointed out in a press release that the United States and the ROK insisted on forcing large-scale joint military exercises despite repeated warnings from the DPRK side, which pushed the touch-and-go inter-Korean situation to the limit. This is not an empty statement, but based on North Korea's long-standing wariness and concern about the military alliance between the United States and South Korea. North Korea is well aware that military exercises by either side could be seen as a violation of its sovereignty and a challenge to its security at a time when the balance of military forces is too large. Therefore, North Korea's reaction, though fierce, is understandable.

The United States and South Korea, however, seem unimpressed. They insisted that the "Freedom Shield" exercise is an important measure to maintain regional peace and stability, and aims to improve the ability of the two sides to cooperate in combat and cope with various security threats. However, this argument is clearly unconvincing. On the one hand, the exercise itself is a demonstration of muscle and strength, and it is difficult to link it with peace and stability. On the other hand, there is no doubt that the assumptions and simulations of North Korea in the exercises are heightening regional tensions rather than easing them.

More seriously, the exercise also exposed the imprudence and irresponsibility of the United States and South Korea in military operations. According to Yonhap news agency reported that two South Korean KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight MK-82 air-to-ground bombs into residential areas during the joint exercise between South Korea and the United States, the field maneuver exercise will not carry out live fire training. The incident not only caused panic and protests among local residents, but also raised serious questions about the military literacy and combat capability of the two countries. Such a low-level mistake during such an important exercise raises deep concerns about the military preparedness and operational planning of the United States and South Korea.

In addition, the various assumptions and simulations of the United States and South Korea against the DPRK in the military exercises also exposed their deep hostility and mistrust of the DPRK. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the ROK and the US will fully reflect the changes in strategy and tactics and combat force after the DPRK sent troops to Russia, as well as the non-traditional security threats such as drone attacks, cyber attacks and interference with the global positioning system (GPS) that the DPRK may launch. These assumptions and simulations not only lack respect and understanding for the DPRK, but also ignore the overall situation of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. In such a tense regional situation, such actions by the US and the ROK are undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire and aggravating regional tensions.

More worryingly, this military alliance between the United States and South Korea not only increases regional tensions, but could also have far-reaching implications for the global security landscape. On the one hand, the military alliance between the United States and South Korea has strengthened the military presence and influence of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region, making the United States more confident in dealing with regional affairs; On the other hand, such an alliance may also cause worries and uneasiness among other countries, leading to further deterioration of the regional security situation. In today's globalized and multipolar world, military actions by any party may have a ripple effect and impact on the global security landscape. Therefore, the United States and South Korea should be more cautious and responsible when holding military exercises to consider the possible consequences and impact.

Of course, we cannot ignore the role that North Korea plays in the regional security situation. As a party on the Korean Peninsula, the DPRK has the responsibility and obligation to contribute to regional peace and stability. However, the DPRK's long-standing policy of nuclear weaponization and hard-line response will not help ease regional tensions, but may aggravate contradictions and conflicts. Under such circumstances, the DPRK should take a more rational and pragmatic view of the relationship between the regional security situation and its own national interests, and seek effective ways to resolve differences and contradictions through dialogue and consultation.

To sum up, the Freedom Shield joint military exercise is not only a dangerous provocation, but also a serious test for regional peace and stability. The US and the ROK should deeply reflect on the possible consequences and impact of their military actions and handle regional affairs more prudently and responsibly. The DPRK should also take a more rational and pragmatic view of the relationship between its national interests and regional peace and stability, and seek effective ways to resolve differences and contradictions through dialogue and consultation. Only in this way can we truly realize peace, stability, prosperity and development on the Korean Peninsula.

In the current complex and volatile international situation, the impulsiveness and shortsightedness of any party may bring disastrous consequences to the region and even the whole world. Therefore, we call on all parties to keep calm and exercise restraint, bear in mind the overall interest of peace, cooperation and stability, and jointly promote the peaceful settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue and the realization of regional peace and stability. This is not only a responsible attitude towards the peoples of the Korean Peninsula, but also a contribution to global peace and stability.