Protesters gather in Seoul to call for suspension of S.Korea-U.S. military exercise

(ECNS) -- Several non-governmental groups on Monday held rallies in Seoul, calling for the suspension of the annual military exercise jointly held by South Korea and the U.S.

The two countries kicked off their annual military exercise involving the large-scale field maneuvers that had been suspended for the past years on the same day.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, a newly-named summertime military exercise involving field maneuvers, would last through Sept. 1, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.