SOKOR, U.S. Launch Computer-Simulated War Games; NOKOR Frets

South Korea and the United States began a preliminary military training drill earlier in the week ahead of their annual summertime exercise, Yonhap News Agency reported, swiftly triggering a backlash from North Korea.

Photo Insert: Camp Coiner at Yongsan Army Garrison, South Korea

Seoul and Washington have decided to carry out the four-day training exercise, focused mainly on preparing for contingencies, as planned despite a warning from Pyongyang that it will negatively affect inter-Korean relations, according to the report.

The main summertime exercise, which will be computer-simulated, is scheduled to be held on Aug. 16-26. The United States, South Korea, and Japan are watching whether the North will take any provocative action, such as testing a ballistic missile, during the period.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister and close aide Kim Yo Jong said in a statement that the joint military drills would "further imperil the situation on the Korean peninsula."

Kim Yo Jong added: "I would like to express my deep regret at the perfidious behavior of the south Korean authorities."

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