Korea-U.S. Joint Drills to Start in March

An annual South Korea-U.S. military exercise focusing on operational plans in case of an all-out war on the Korean Peninsula will be staged across South Korea from March 8 to 18, the Combined Forces Command said Wednesday.

The CFC will stage the exercise, dubbed "Key Resolve," together with "Foal Eagle," a field maneuver exercise. Some drills such as U.S. forces' evacuation to the U.S. mainland will continue until April 30.

A smaller number of U.S. troops than in previous years are taking part in this year's joint exercises -- about 10,000 troops stationed here and some 8,000 reinforcements from abroad.

Some 26,000 U.S. troops took part in last year's exercises, but this year no U.S. aircraft carrier will join.