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South Korea has also been condemned by Pyongyang for its part in the 10-day military exercise, with North Korea labelling it as reckless behaviour driving the situation into the uncontrollable phase of a nuclear war\". <\/p>\n
Around 17,500 US troops are expected to take part in the exercise, yet most will only be involved in the computer simulation aspect. <\/p>\n
State media in the hermit nation said: \"The joint exercise is the most explicit expression of hostility against us, and no one can guarantee that the exercise won't evolve into actual fighting.\" <\/p>\n
It added: If the United States is lost in a fantasy that war on the peninsula is at somebody else's doorstep far away from them across the Pacific, it is far more mistaken than ever.\" <\/p>\n
Russia and China had tried to broker a deal which would see a pause on military exercises in exchange for a freeze on Pyongyangs missile tests, but the US has claimed their drills are defensive in nature. <\/p>\n
Joseph Dunford, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, added military drills were \"not currently on the table as part of the negotiation at any level. <\/p>\n
The upcoming drills are part of two annual war games held every year involving a large number of troops. <\/p>\n
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Japan's Ground Self Defense Force Type 90 tanks (front) and U.S. Marine Corps LAV-25 Light Armoured Vehicles take part in their joint exercise, named Northern Viper 17 <\/p>\n
South Korea typically deploys 50,000 troops while the US pour in between 25,000 to 30,000 solidiers, with exercises typically involving land, sea and air simulation. <\/p>\n
Held in South Korea, the two sets of troops practiced drills for chemical and terror attacks last year. <\/p>\n
Although defended by the US and South Korea as defensive drills, North Korea claim they are training for an invasion. <\/p>\n
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As the drills went on last year, North Korea carried out ballistic missile testing sparking fears something similar may happen again. <\/p>\n
And amid heightened tensions between the two nations, which saw Donald Trump promising to unleash fire and fury on Pyongyang, this years drills come at a particular delicate time. <\/p>\n
North Korea had responded with a threat to strike the US territory of Guam in mid-August, further ratcheting up World War 3 tensions. <\/p>\n
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US and South Korea 'push North Korea closer to WW3' by carrying out tests TODAY - Express.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GETTY South Korea has also been condemned by Pyongyang for its part in the 10-day military exercise, with North Korea labelling it as reckless behaviour driving the situation into the uncontrollable phase of a nuclear war\". Around 17,500 US troops are expected to take part in the exercise, yet most will only be involved in the computer simulation aspect. Continue reading