US, South Korea start joint military exercise, postpone some drills

The United States and South Korea have started their regular joint military exercise aimed at preparing for a contingency on the Korean Peninsula. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began in South Korea on Monday and will run through August 28. 

The South Korean military said the two forces aim to strengthen preparedness against nuclear, missile, drone and other types. About half of the roughly 40 field training exercises have been postponed until next month. South Korean military officials said the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of the extreme heat, the need to maintain defense readiness and other factors.