Our top story this afternoon...
One of the key military exercises of the year began earlier today.
South Korea and the United States started Ulchi Freedom Guardian under the usual cloud of threats from North Korea.
Kim Hyun－bin reports.
South Korea and the United States kicked off their annual defensive drills dubbed Ulchi Freedom Guardian on Monday.
The exercises，... which will run through August 28th，... are aimed at helping the allies better react to the wide range of threats posed by Pyongyang.
The drills involve about 50－thousand South Korean and 30－thousand American troops in a wargame that simulates an invasion by North Korea.
Officials say Pyongyang was informed of the allies′ plans through a loudspeaker at Panmunjom， the truce village inside the DMZ on Saturday.
North Korea has a history of condemning the drills，... calling them practice for a northward invasion.
This year is no different with Pyongyang threatening over the weekend to take strong military counteractions against the U.S. if the drills go ahead.
In response to that，... South Korea′s defense ministry reiterated that Seoul will strongly respond to any provocations.
The U.S. State Department has stressed the drills are defensive in nature and are meant to better secure and maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
The Ulchi Freedom Guardian drills come at a time of heightened tensions between the two Koreas.
Seoul has accused Pyongyang of being behind a recent land mine explosion in the demilitarized zone that seriously injured two South Korean soldiers.
North Korea denies any involvement.
Kim Hyun－bin， Arirang News.
