S. Korea, U.S. stage tabletop drills on integrating conventional, nuclear capabilities against N. Korean threats

South Korea and the U.S. held the Iron Mace tabletop exercise from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2, 2026, focusing on integrating conventional and nuclear capabilities to deter North Korean threats. The exercise aligns with the Nuclear Consultative Group guidelines from 2023 and aims to strengthen joint deterrence and contingency planning.