<h1>US and South Korea to Start Joint Military Drills Amid North Korean Tensions; Potential Missile Tests Feared</h1> South Korea and the US will commence their annual joint military drills next week to bolster readiness against North Korean threats. The Freedom Shield exercise, involving computer-simulated command post training and field exercises, will run from Monday to March 20. North Korea perceives these drills as invasion rehearsals and has previously responded with missile tests. Recently, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused the US of escalating confrontational actions and threatened strategic-level security measures. Observers suggest North Korea may test powerful missiles targeting the US. Previous diplomatic efforts between North Korea and the US have stalled.