August 19, 2008	Tuesday	Sha’aban 16, 1429

SEOUL: South Korean and US forces started annual military drills on Monday denounced by North Korea as a prelude to war, with Pyongyang previously saying they spoiled the prospects for nuclear disarmament talks.

The drills, called Ulchi Freedom Guardian, last until Friday and come as envoys in talks on ending the North’s nuclear arms programme discuss a mechanism to verify claims Pyongyang made about its production of arms-grade plutonium.

About 56,000 South Korean troops and 10,000 US troops will joint the exercises that test communication, computer and command systems, South Korean military officials have told local media.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday led a meeting of his National Security Council in a secure basement bunker of the presidential Blue House as part of the drill, officials said.

“In our relationship with the North, there always exists the possibility of localised conflict, so we cannot afford to loosen our readiness,” Lee was quoted as saying by Blue House officials.

North Korea’s official media on Monday said the drills were intended “to start a new war on the peninsula and stifle the North with force”.—Reuters