In a shocking and highly specialised military exercise, U.S. and South Korean forces have joined forces to prepare for potential underground warfare, aimed at countering North Korea’s growing tunnel threat. Over the course of four intense days, more than 370 soldiers trained in an underground facility located just 20 miles from the North Korean border, honing skills to combat any future subterranean incursions.
This training, which formed part of the biannual Freedom Shield exercises, saw troops using cutting-edge technology such as drones, breaching tools, and robotic units to simulate an underground attack. The scenario involved dismantling enemy infrastructure hidden deep underground, including mock water supplies and ventilation systems. These sophisticated exercises were designed to sharpen soldiers’ abilities to respond to the potential discovery of secret tunnels dug by North Korea – some of which may serve as storage for weapons of mass destruction or covert transportation routes for troops.
“South Korean and U.S. soldiers worked seamlessly as a single team,” said South Korean army Lt. Col. Hwang Hyun-cho. “It was a rare opportunity to learn from one another and refine our tactics in underground combat.”
This high-level exercise was just one part of the larger Freedom Shield drill, which saw over 19,000 South Korean personnel and an unspecified number of U.S. troops participating in joint drills across the country. South Korea remains especially focused on underground warfare training, with estimates suggesting that North Korea has secretly dug thousands of tunnels since the Korean War in preparation for future conflict.
These tunnels have been described as potential storage areas for weapons or subterranean transport routes for North Korean troops. South Korea has uncovered and either destroyed or converted some of these tunnels into tourist attractions to highlight the ongoing threat.
The most infamous tunnel discovery occurred in 1974, when U.N. troops patrolling the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) discovered a tunnel crossing the border. Tragically, North Korea detonated an explosive device as they investigated, killing two U.N. personnel and injuring six others. South Korea continued to uncover more tunnels in subsequent years, including one found in 1978 that stretched a mile long and 12 feet wide. That particular tunnel was later opened to the public as a tourist attraction.
As tensions in the region remain high, the U.S. and South Korea continue to strengthen their military readiness, ensuring they are prepared to face any un
