NO BACKING DOWN: USA risks North Korea fury by holding controversial military drills
THE USA is risking provoking North Korea by holding controversial military drills in the region.
US and South Korea conduct drills after North Korea launch
US president Donald Trump has instructed his troops to take part in the joint exercise with South Korea later this month.
The Ulchi-Freedom Guardian exercises take place every year and cause fury in North Korea, where they are seen as preparation for an invasion of Kim Jong-un’s rogue state.
And this year 40,000 soldiers and civilians will hold the huge drills against a backdrop of white hot tension on the Korean peninsula.
The exercises will take place from August 21 to 31 and were planned well in advance of this week’s war of words.
North Korea fury: The USA will hold controversial military drills in South Korea
Washington and Seoul claim the drills are a deterrent against North Korean aggression, following several controversial missile tests the year.
However Pyongyang repeatedly condemn the drills, which are set to further escalate the increasingly volatile situation in East Asia.
US officials confirmed the drills would take place, one day after Mr Trump further stoked the situation with an incendiary tweet.
He took to Twitter to warn North Korea his army was “locked and loaded” for battle.
Earlier this week he promised the hermit state would be met with “fire and fury” if it didn’t stop its sabre-rattling.
This warning was immediately undermined by Kim who announced he was planning to attack the US territory of Guam.
North Korea: South Korea and the USA hold annual military drills
Mr Trump, to the frustration of some Washington heavyweights including former presidential candidate John McCain, then hit back and said his earlier warning “wasn’t tough enough”.
Mr McCain said Mr Trump was losing control of the situation and had already had his bluff called by the pot-bellied dictator.
READ MORE: Will the USA attack North Korea?
Anti-war protestors in South Korea oppose the joint drills with the USA and want peace talks
The great leaders I've seen don't threaten unless they're ready to act
He said earlier this week: "I take exception to the President's comments because you've got to be sure that you can do what you say you're going to do.
"The great leaders I've seen don't threaten unless they're ready to act and I'm not sure President Trump is ready to act."
READ MORE: Does North Korea have nuclear weapons?