CCTV9英语新闻：Annual ROK-US military drills begin this week（在线收听）

Related reading:

US and South Korean soldiers are set to begin their annual joint military exercises later on this Monday.

This year's "Key Resolve and Foal Eagle" exercises are said to be the largest since 2010.

At least 15-thousand troops are reportedly involved in "Key Resolve" drills.

"Foal Eagle" is set to include a US aircraft carrier, as well as nuclear-powered submarines.

The annual drills are set to run through April 30th.

They come on the heels of new UN sanctions being imposed on North Korea, which says it considers the drills a prelude to a northward invasion.

The US and South Korea insist the drills are defensive in nature.