By Wang Bing

王冰

US Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz ( File photo/ Xinhua International)

资料图：美国“尼米兹”号核动力航母（来源：新华国际）

According to foreign media reports, the Freedom Shield (FS) joint military exercise held by the ROK and the US militaries has begun on March 13 and is expected to conclude on March 23, the longest exercise ever in the history of the ROK-US military exercises. The ROK-US FS exercise is a theater-level large-scale exercise that was resumed after 5 years. What signals have the ROK and the US released to the outside world by holding the exercise?

据外媒报道，韩国和美国军方正在举行的“自由护盾”联合军事演习，从3月13日开始，预计3月23日结束，创下韩美军演史上最长演习纪录。此次韩美“自由护盾”演习是韩美时隔5年再度重启的战区级大规模实战机动演习，韩美举行此次演习向外界释放出了什么信号？

According to Teng Jianqun, a military observer, this joint military exercise is more focused on the exercise of offensive capabilities in terms of exercise courses in addition to the upgraded scale. The ROK-US FS exercise includes amphibious landing operations, fighting for air and sea superiority, as well as courses including detachment coordination and ground assault featuring extremely strong offensiveness in operations. The FS exercise is not of a defensive type, but a "spear" targeting the country concerned.

军事观察员滕建群分析认为，除了规模升级，从演习内容和课目上分析，这次联合军演更侧重于进攻能力的演练。此次韩美“自由护盾”演习包括了两栖登陆作战，争夺制空权、制海权，以及分队的协调、地面突击等课目，具有极强的进攻作战特性。“自由护盾”不是防御演习，而是一把要刺向有关国家的“矛”。

What are the real intentions of the US?

美国有何企图？

It is reported that during the FS exercise, the ROK and the US will also hold more than 20 drills. The US military in the ROK is promoting the involvement of the USS Nimitz nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in thejoint carrier strike group (CSG) drill, and intends to invite Japan to participate in its joint anti-missile drill.

有报道称，“自由护盾”演习期间，韩美还将举行20多个分演习。韩美军方正在推进美国“尼米兹”号核动力航母参加联合航母打击群联演，并打算邀请日本加入其联合反导演练。

Teng Jianqun pointed out that the US has aimed to further strengthen its control over Northeast Asia with the ever-expanding US-ROK military exercises. After taking office, US President Joe Biden has continuously strengthened military deployment and military exercises in the ROK, aiming to seize the opportunity by creating tensions, and strengthening control over the ROK and Japan while adjusting the military deployment.

滕建群指出，美国层层加码韩美之间的军事演习，是想进一步加强对东北亚地区的控制。美国总统拜登上台后，不断加强在韩国的兵力部署和军事演习，就是想通过制造紧张局势“乘虚而入”，在调整兵力部署的同时，加强对韩国、日本的控制。

File Photo: US F-35A fighter jet (Source: www.huanqiu.com)

资料图：美军F-35A战斗机（来源：环球网）

The ROK also has its own considerations

韩国也有盘算？

While the US continues to strengthen military ties with the ROK, the ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol also seems to be stepping even closer to the US. According to reports, the ROK has planned to purchase an additional batch of F-35A fighter jets from the US to increase the size of its aircraft fleet, together with Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), a ship-launched anti-air and anti-surface interceptor missile, to equip the Aegis destroyers of the ROK Navy.

在美国不断加强对韩国军事捆绑的同时，韩国尹锡悦政府似乎也在加速向美国靠拢。据报道，韩国计划从美国额外采购一批F-35A战斗机，提升机队规模；从美国进口“标准-6”远程舰空导弹，装备韩式“宙斯盾”驱逐舰。

Teng Jianqun believed that the ROK is attempting to leverage the power of the US to enhance its military capabilities and regional influence by continuously strengthening its military alliance with the US. The ROK has two plans: one is to release its military production capacity by following the US; the other is to improve its own military level and play a greater role in regional affairs following the US to demonstrate the ROK's capabilities in defense and security.

滕建群认为，韩国不断强化韩美军事同盟关系，企图借美国的力量提升自身军事能力和地区影响力。韩国有两方面的盘算：一是通过追随美国释放自身军工生产能力；二是提升自身军备水平，跟着美国在地区事务中发挥更大作用，彰显韩国在防务和安全方面的能力。

When will the situation on the Korean Peninsula get stable?

半岛局势何时安？

During the intensive joint exercises between the ROK and the US, the presence of the US B-52 Stratofortress bombers has further boosted tensions on the Korean Peninsula. In response, the DPRK has repeatedly issued warnings, and there have been several demonstrations against the joint military exercises in the ROK.

在密集进行的韩美联演中，美军B-52战略轰炸机的现身，进一步推高半岛紧张局势。对此，朝鲜已多次发出警告，韩国国内也爆发了多起反对韩美联合军演的示威。

Teng Jianqun believed that the ROK's attempt to accelerate the development of its military capabilities by depending on the US is but to quench thirst with poison, and may ultimately be reduced to a strategic vassal of the US to exacerbate the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Due to the fact that the US holds the wartime command of the ROK, the ROK's military development is likely to act as a cat's-paw for the US. Once necessary, the ROK may be incorporated into the US combat system. It is impossible for the US to personally engage in the conflicts in the Korean Peninsula region; instead, it may just hide behind the scenes and intensify conflicts between the countries concerned. The current "development" of the ROK will only have a negative impact on regional peace and stability and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

军事观察员滕建群认为，韩国利用美国加紧发展军事能力是饮鸩止渴，最终可能沦为美国激化半岛局势的战略附庸。由于美国掌握着韩国的战时指挥权，韩国的军备发展很可能就是为美国做“嫁衣”，一旦有需要，韩国就可能被并入美国的作战体系。美国不可能在半岛地区亲自动手，而是躲在幕后，激化有关国家间的矛盾。韩国现在的“发展”，对地区和平稳定、对半岛局势只会有负面影响。

Editor's note: Originally published on cnr.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.