(LEAD) S. Korea, U.S. to begin key summertime military exercise next week

Why This Matters

These annual joint military exercises are a cornerstone of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, essential for maintaining readiness and deterrence against North Korean threats. They consistently draw strong condemnation from Pyongyang, which views them as invasion rehearsals, often leading to heightened inter-Korean tensions and potential retaliatory actions. This makes the drills a critical indicator of regional stability.