Description

The North Korean (NK) media has reported on the decision of the US and ROK
governments to change the ROK-US combined military exercise’s name from “Ulchi Focus Lens” (UFL) to “Ulchi Freedom Guardian” (UFG) since Jan 08. The reports have asserted the main focus of UFG is to prepare for “northward aggression” and to prepare for a preemptive strike against NK. The NK media has reported on, and denounced, all major ROK-US combined military exercises since the mid-70’s. Its characterization of the exercises has been
consistent – “an act of provocation and northward aggression.”