South Korea, Japan and the United States have joined forces in a fresh military drill aimed at strengthening deterrence against North Korean threats. The exercise highlights growing security cooperation among the three allies as tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. With Pyongyang closely watching military activity in the region, what message are Seoul, Tokyo and Washington sending to North Korea?

S. Korea, Japan, U.S. Military drill to enhance deterrence to North Korean threats 

South Korea, Japan and the United States conducted joint Naval exercises to enhance readiness against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Watch in for more details!

US, South Korea and Japan conduct naval drills amid North Korea threats

North Korea has issued a stern denouncement of the annual joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea.&nbsp;

In the aftermath of trilateral agreements reached by the United States, South Korea, and Japan during the recent summit at Camp David, Pyongyang on Tuesday issued a stark warning of a possible "thermonuclear war."

<h2>Drills or Provocation?</h2>

On Monday, South Korea and the United States commenced the Ulchi Freedom Shield summer exercises, which are aimed at enhancing the two nations' collaborative response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The drills have long been labelled a rehearsal for war by North Korea.

As per a report by North Korea's KCNA news agency, Pyongyang said that the recent trilateral Camp David summit was a platform for devising a "nuclear war provocation."&nbsp;

The commentary expressed concern that "If the agreements fabricated at the Camp David Resort are additionally put into practice in the war drill ... the possibility of an outbreak of a thermonuclear war on the Korean peninsula will become more realistic."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/camp-david-summit-us-south-korea-japan-condemn-chinas-actions-strengthen-alliances-626872">Camp David Summit: US, South Korea, Japan condemn China's actions, to strengthen ties</a>

It further said that the prevailing situation requires its military to "take the initiative, offensive and overwhelming action for a war." As per Reuters, the nation did not elaborate on this remark.

<h2>Camp David</h2>

In a landmark trilateral summit held at the US presidential retreat of Camp David on Friday, August 18, leaders of the United States, South Korea, and Japan agreed to deepen military and economic ties.&nbsp;

The summit held by the Biden administration brought together American allies South Korea and Japan and aimed to present a unified front in the face of China's rise and the nuclear threats posed by North Korea.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-agrees-to-200000-bond-that-forbids-him-from-using-social-media-for-intimidation-627698">Donald Trump agrees to $200,000 bond forbidding him from using social media for 'intimidation'</a>

After the meeting, referring to the threat posed by North Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean President, announced that the nations&nbsp;agreed to improve "our joint response capabilities to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, which have become sophisticated more than ever."

Reuters reports that South Korean lawmakers are speculating that the North might resort to test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile or other military actions to protest against the ongoing drills or as a reaction to the recent trilateral summit.

(With inputs from agencies)

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North Korea has issued a stern denouncement of the annual joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. In the aftermath of trilateral agreements reached by the United States, South Korea, and Japan during the recent summit at Camp David, Pyongyang on Tuesday issued a stark warning of a possible "thermonuclear war.

North Korea has issued a stern denouncement of the annual joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. In the aftermath of trilateral agreements reached by the United States, South Korea, and Japan during the recent summit at Camp David, Pyongyang on Tuesday issued a stark warning of a possible "thermonuclear war." Drills or Provocation? On Monday, South Korea and the United States commenced the Ulchi Freedom Shield summer exercises, which are aimed at enhancing the two nations' collaborative response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The drills have long been labelled a rehearsal for war by North Korea. As per a report by North Korea's KCNA news agency, Pyongyang said that the recent trilateral Camp David summit was a platform for devising a "nuclear war provocation." The commentary expressed concern that "If the agreements fabricated at the Camp David Resort are additionally put into practice in the war drill ... the possibility of an outbreak of a thermonuclear war on the Korean peninsula will become more realistic." Also read | Camp David Summit: US, South Korea, Japan condemn China's actions, to strengthen ties It further said that the prevailing situation requires its military to "take the initiative, offensive and overwhelming action for a war." As per Reuters, the nation did not elaborate on this remark. Camp David In a landmark trilateral summit held at the US presidential retreat of Camp David on Friday, August 18, leaders of the United States, South Korea, and Japan agreed to deepen military and economic ties. The summit held by the Biden administration brought together American allies South Korea and Japan and aimed to present a unified front in the face of China's rise and the nuclear threats posed by North Korea. Also read | Donald Trump agrees to $200,000 bond forbidding him from using social media for 'intimidation' After the meeting, referring to the threat posed by North Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean President, announced that the nations agreed to improve "our joint response capabilities to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, which have become sophisticated more than ever." Reuters reports that South Korean lawmakers are speculating that the North might resort to test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile or other military actions to protest against the ongoing drills or as a reaction to the recent trilateral summit. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

North Korea threatens 'thermonuclear war' over Camp David summit and US-South Korea drills

Tourism-dependent Guam is looking to cash in on its new-found fame as a North Korean missile target, tapping an unlikely promotional opportunity to attract visitors to the idyllic island and prove that all publicity is good publicity.

Pyongyang&#39;s threats to launch four missile strikes near the US territory has stirred global curiosity in the remote Pacific destination, with it trending heavily on search engines as social media users wondered, &quot;what is Guam?&quot;

Although Guam hosts two US military installations and 6,000 US soldiers, making it the target of North Korea&#39;s wrath, tourism authorities are keen to dispel any impression of danger to the tranquil island and its secluded beaches.

&quot;The circumstances are unfortunate but this is a good opportunity for us to educate the world about Guam and our culture, about where we are, and who we are,&quot; said Josh Tyquiengco, marketing director at Guam Visitors Bureau, the official agency for the island.

&quot;Guam is more than a military base. We are a safe family destination. We reassure potential visitors that we continue to be a safe... place to visit,&quot; said Tyquiengco.

Despite North Korea&#39;s threats to prepare plans within days that would surround Guam with &quot;enveloping fire&quot;, fears of a potential attack have not deterred tourists from visiting Guam, he said.

&quot;We heard about a few booking cancellations from South Korea, but it&#39;s too minimal to affect the industry,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Governor Eddie Calvo, in a briefing late Friday, said any attack on Guam &quot;would be met with overwhelming force&quot;, pointing out that the biggest threat facing the island was the looming typhoon season.

&quot;With that, everybody should conduct their lives like business as usual. It&#39;s the weekend. Go out, have a good time, enjoy the beaches tomorrow and live your lives.

&quot;At this point, there are thousands of tourists coming in on a daily basis... from Japan, (South) Korea, Taiwan and China and other areas. It is our belief that they should enjoy themselves here.&quot;

As aircraft after aircraft -- packed with tourists -- landed Friday at Guam&#39;s international airport, the latest visitors to the island appeared untroubled by the prospect of missile strikes.

Sun Doojin, who arrived with her husband and two-year-old daughter on a flight from Seoul, responded with an emphatic &quot;no&quot; when asked if she was concerned about an attack during her visit.&nbsp;

The Guam Daily Post, in an editorial, said the spotlight on the territory offered an opportunity to show the world why an island of 162,000 people draws more than 1.5 million tourists a year.&nbsp;

&quot;The beach waters are crystal clear, beaches aren&#39;t overrun, and nature hiking trails are very accessible.

&quot;The different cultures that are showcased on the island through food make Guam a hidden gem, a tropical vacation getaway but with the amenities and comforts of some of the small cities stateside.&quot;

Guam&#39;s history of earthquakes and typhoons mean its infrastructure is built to robust standards and authorities insist that the island is prepared for any emergency, including a North Korean strike.

Homeland Security spokeswoman Jenna Gaminde told the Guam Daily News that in the event of an attack, residents would be immediately notified by sirens from the All-Hazards Alert Warning System located throughout the island.

&quot;If you hear the sirens, tune into local media -- radio, print, television -- for further instructions,&quot; she said.&nbsp;

Pyongyang has said it would take less than 18 minutes for a missile to cross the 3,400-kilometre distance to the US territory.

In addition to the US military bases, Guam is also equipped with the sophisticated THAAD weapons system which is capable of destroying intermediate-range missiles in the final phase of flight.

Officials, however, have sought to brush off fears and say there has been no change in the threat level for now.

&quot;I don&#39;t think there&#39;s anything to worry about. No missile is going to land on Guam,&quot; said Carl Peterson, who serves on the Guam Chamber of Commerce&#39;s armed forces committee.

&quot;We&#39;ve got defense mechanisms in place... they have the ability to seek out the missiles with kinetic energy and destroy it.&quot;

Pyongyang's threats to launch four missile strikes near the US territory has stirred global curiosity in the remote Pacific destination, with it trending heavily on search engines as social media users wondered, 'what is Guam?'

Tourism-dependent Guam is looking to cash in on its new-found fame as a North Korean missile target, tapping an unlikely promotional opportunity to attract visitors to the idyllic island and prove that all publicity is good publicity. Pyongyang's threats to launch four missile strikes near the US territory has stirred global curiosity in the remote Pacific destination, with it trending heavily on search engines as social media users wondered, "what is Guam?" Although Guam hosts two US military installations and 6,000 US soldiers, making it the target of North Korea's wrath, tourism authorities are keen to dispel any impression of danger to the tranquil island and its secluded beaches. "The circumstances are unfortunate but this is a good opportunity for us to educate the world about Guam and our culture, about where we are, and who we are," said Josh Tyquiengco, marketing director at Guam Visitors Bureau, the official agency for the island. "Guam is more than a military base. We are a safe family destination. We reassure potential visitors that we continue to be a safe... place to visit," said Tyquiengco. Despite North Korea's threats to prepare plans within days that would surround Guam with "enveloping fire", fears of a potential attack have not deterred tourists from visiting Guam, he said. "We heard about a few booking cancellations from South Korea, but it's too minimal to affect the industry," he said. Governor Eddie Calvo, in a briefing late Friday, said any attack on Guam "would be met with overwhelming force", pointing out that the biggest threat facing the island was the looming typhoon season. "With that, everybody should conduct their lives like business as usual. It's the weekend. Go out, have a good time, enjoy the beaches tomorrow and live your lives. "At this point, there are thousands of tourists coming in on a daily basis... from Japan, (South) Korea, Taiwan and China and other areas. It is our belief that they should enjoy themselves here." As aircraft after aircraft -- packed with tourists -- landed Friday at Guam's international airport, the latest visitors to the island appeared untroubled by the prospect of missile strikes. Sun Doojin, who arrived with her husband and two-year-old daughter on a flight from Seoul, responded with an emphatic "no" when asked if she was concerned about an attack during her visit. The Guam Daily Post, in an editorial, said the spotlight on the territory offered an opportunity to show the world why an island of 162,000 people draws more than 1.5 million tourists a year. "The beach waters are crystal clear, beaches aren't overrun, and nature hiking trails are very accessible. "The different cultures that are showcased on the island through food make Guam a hidden gem, a tropical vacation getaway but with the amenities and comforts of some of the small cities stateside." Guam's history of earthquakes and typhoons mean its infrastructure is built to robust standards and authorities insist that the island is prepared for any emergency, including a North Korean strike. Homeland Security spokeswoman Jenna Gaminde told the Guam Daily News that in the event of an attack, residents would be immediately notified by sirens from the All-Hazards Alert Warning System located throughout the island. "If you hear the sirens, tune into local media -- radio, print, television -- for further instructions," she said. Pyongyang has said it would take less than 18 minutes for a missile to cross the 3,400-kilometre distance to the US territory. In addition to the US military bases, Guam is also equipped with the sophisticated THAAD weapons system which is capable of destroying intermediate-range missiles in the final phase of flight. Officials, however, have sought to brush off fears and say there has been no change in the threat level for now. "I don't think there's anything to worry about. No missile is going to land on Guam," said Carl Peterson, who serves on the Guam Chamber of Commerce's armed forces committee. "We've got defense mechanisms in place... they have the ability to seek out the missiles with kinetic energy and destroy it."

Guam tourism sees silver lining in North Korean threats