South korea: South Korea and the United States wrapped up their major joint drills Thursday to bolster the combined readiness posture, amid North Korea's repeated criticism of the annual exercise it calls a rehearsal for war.

According to Qatar News Agency, South Korea's Yonhap news agency cited a statement by the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command that the US and the Republic of Korea today "concluded Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 25, reinforcing the Alliance's defensive posture, enhancing combined readiness, and demonstrating the ability to deter aggression and, if necessary, defend both nations' homelands."

The command underscored how the exercise reaffirms the alliance's role as the "linchpin" for regional peace and security, as well as the allies' "ironclad" commitment to defending South Korea and maintaining regional stability.

North Korea issued successive statements condemning the drills, while the allies stressed that the exercises are purely defensive. US Forces in Korea stated they were far from aggressive in response to North Korea remarks.