The United States has deployed F-35 stealth fighter jets for a military exercise in South Korea amid the threat posed by North Korea, according to photos released by the Pentagon .

The war game, code-named Ulchi Freedom Shield 25, began on August 18 and aims to strengthen the response capabilities of the U.S. and its treaty ally South Korea .

North Korea has denounced the drill as an "expression" of the allies' will to invade the country, warning that if Washington and Seoul "continuously persist in the…military rehearsal," they would face an unpleasant situation and "pay a price."

Why It Matters

The U.S. and South Korea—which signed a mutual defense treaty in 1953 following the cessation of hostilities in the Korean War—regularly conduct military training and exercises to bolst

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