South Korean and US forces stage military exercises

The drills are aimed at repelling any potential artillery attacks from the North (Yang Ji-woong/Yonhap via AP)

South Korean and US troops have been conducting live firing exercises this week to hone their ability to respond to potential “Hamas-style surprise artillery attacks” by North Korea, South Korea’s military said.

The two forces regularly conduct live-fire and other training, but this week’s drills come after Hamas’ October 7 assault on Israel raised security jitters in South Korea, which shares the world’s most heavily fortified border with rival North Korea.