The US and South Korean militaries will team up for a series of drills next week as part of a regular training operation designed to prepare for an emergency on the Korean Peninsula.

Military officials said on Monday that the regular Ulchi Freedom Shield drills in South Korea will run from August 19 through 29, and will include around 48 exercises. The drills are meant as a response to North Korea's military ambitions, in particular its nuclear weapons program.

South Korea has also said it will conduct its first-ever civil defense and evacuation drills, which will include scenarios where Pyongyang launches a nuclear attack.

During last year's drills, North Korea responded by carrying out ballistic missile tests.