Overview

• South Korea and the United States launched the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield on Aug. 18 with about 21,000 personnel in command-post simulations and field training.
• Kim Jong Un, via KCNA, accused the allies of showing a willingness to start a war and directed an accelerated expansion of North Korea’s nuclear forces and navy.
• During an inspection at Nampo, Kim reviewed the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon destroyer that state media says is being readied for nuclear-capable systems, with a second ship relaunched after a failed May launch and a third under construction.
• Seoul and Washington say the exercises are defensive and focused on countering North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programs, with some field events postponed to September due to heat and flood damage.
• Kim Yo Jong declared the North will not treat the South as a diplomatic partner as President Lee pursues reviving the 2018 inter-Korean military accord and prepares for a Aug. 25 summit with President Trump.