SEOUL, March 4. /TASS/. The Republic of Korea and the US have started the Freedom Shield military exercise, which will last until March 14, the Yonhap news agency reported.

The training will focus on conducting operations leveraging land, sea, air, cyber, and space assets to counter the enemy’s nuclear forces, according to the US Forces Korea.

The exercise will feature computer-simulated virtual and field-based training and will be observed by representatives from 12 United Nations Command member states.

A spokesman for the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff earlier said the drills will rehearse detecting and intercepting North Korean cruise missiles.

Pyongyang regards the maneuvers as a rehearsal of invasion, while the allies insist the drills are defensive.