South Korea has conducted nationwide civil defence drills alongside large-scale military exercises with the U.S. The drills come amidst heightened tensions with North Korea.

Seoul

South Korea recently carried out nationwide air raid and firefighting drills, with citizens taking shelter in designated locations. These public exercises took place alongside the Ulchi Freedom Shield, a large-scale joint military exercise with the United States that includes both virtual and real-world scenarios simulating a North Korean attack.

While some drills, such as artillery and maritime training near the demilitarized zone, were postponed, officials cited extreme heat as the reason, though others suggested the move was intended to reduce tensions with North Korea. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has emphasized a desire to mend relations with Pyongyang and denied any hostile intentions, but North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rejected these overtures, describing the drills as provocative and calling for an expansion of the North's nuclear program.

South Korea holds defence drills as tensions rise with North Korea

Sirens blaring in Seoul, part of a nationwide air raid drill involving people taking cover in thousands of designated shelters. Considering that our country is still technically in a war time situation, I think it's important to continue this kind of training. Training that includes basic firefighting. These public drills are being held at the same time as large-scale military exercises between the United States and South Korea, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield. The exercises include virtual and real-world training that simulates defending against a North Korean attack. The military is forming, maintaining the posture to respond to North Korea's threats immediately, overwhelmingly and to the end. But half of the drills, such as artillery and maritime training near the demilitarized zone, have been postponed until next month. South Korea's military says the delay is due to the heat, though an official at the country's unification ministry says the move is aimed at easing tensions with North Korea. President Lee Jae-myung is seeking to mend ties with Pyongyang while attempting to talk down the North's core allegation that the exercises are a rehearsal for an invasion. We affirm our respect for the North's current system, declare that we will not pursue any form of unification by absorption and assert that we have no intention of engaging in hostile acts. Overtures rejected by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who described the drills as an attempt to provoke war, while calling for a rapid expansion of the North's nuclear weapons program. Jack Barton, Al Jazeera, Seoul.

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City operation

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Washington

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Trump expanding steel and aluminum tariffs

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Brussels

Ukraine Invasion

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North Carolina

Hurricane Erin forces evacuations on U.S. East Coast

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New Delhi

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Austin

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Toronto

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Hong Kong Island

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East Coast of the United States

Hurricane Erin to bring dangerous rip currents to U.S. East Coast

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Los Angeles

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La Paz

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Kyiv

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Paris

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Breakdown