S. Korea-US joint military exercises begin amid protests

South Korea and the United States on Monday kicked off their annual Freedom Shield (FS) joint military exercises, drawing protests from civic groups in Seoul who warned the drills could heighten regional tensions and undermine peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The exercise, scheduled to run for 11 days through March 19, includes 22 field training drills involving actual troop maneuvers, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Seoul and Washington have described the exercise as defensive in nature, but critics say the large-scale war games escalate confrontation in the region. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has long denounced the drills as rehearsals for an invasion.

Outside the venue of a protest rally in front of the U.S. Embassy in South Korea in central Seoul on Monday, activists and civic groups condemned the exercise and called for its immediate suspension. Protesters argued that the joint drills threaten peace on the Korean Peninsula and hinder prospects for inter-Korean reconciliation.

Speakers at the rally also criticized recent joint special operations training conducted by U.S. Forces Korea and South Korean troops ahead of the exercise, claiming it simulated operations targeting enemy leadership similar to those reportedly used in the Middle East conflict. They warned that the Freedom Shield drills could involve advanced weapons systems such as unmanned attack aircraft, strategic reconnaissance assets and new missile systems deployed by U.S. forces in South Korea.

"The United States is repeatedly violating international law and attempting to turn South Korea into a forward base serving its hegemonic strategy," a protest speaker said, accusing Washington of disregarding the safety of the South Korean people while pursuing its geopolitical ambitions.

Lee Ki-eun, a youth campaigner from Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea, said the 2026 Freedom Shield exercise features expanded "multi-domain warfare" elements, including operations in space, cyberspace and special operations forces. "Such offensive-oriented drills, particularly amid rising tensions related to U.S. actions against Iran, must be halted immediately," Lee said, adding that stopping the exercises is essential for reviving inter-Korean dialogue and maintaining peace in Northeast Asia.

Protesters also urged the South Korean government to halt joint military exercises with the United States and reconsider reliance on extended deterrence, calling instead for diplomatic engagement to reduce tensions on the peninsula.

"In the end, to bring an end to the Middle East conflict as soon as possible, the relevant nations involved should stop forming alliances and escalating conflicts. They should cease aggression and move towards dialogue promptly," Lee added.