S. Korea, US stage tabletop drills on integrating conventional, nuclear capabilities against N. Korean threats

What happened: South Korea and the US held the Iron Mace tabletop exercise at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul, focused on integrating conventional and nuclear capabilities against North Korean threats. Key numbers: Exercise held Sept. 29 to Oct. 2. Iron Mace launched in August 2024. Why it matters: The drills were held despite Seoul and Washington scaling down the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise in August following US President Donald Trump's order. The exercise is conducted behind closed doors, apparently to avoid provoking North Korea.

South Korea and the US held the Iron Mace tabletop exercise at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul, focused on integrating conventional and nuclear capabilities against North Korean threats.

The drills were held despite Seoul and Washington scaling down the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise in August following US President Donald Trump's order. The exercise is conducted behind closed doors, apparently to avoid provoking North Korea.