The US and South Korean military began annual war drills Monday, amid an easing of tensions on the Korean peninsular, according to DPA. The 12-day exercises will use computer simulations of possible conflicts on the Korean peninsula, and involve about 80,000 soldiers in total, Yonhap news agency reported. US Forces Korea said the drills \"help to ensure stability and security on the peninsula and reaffirm the US commitment to the Northeast Asia region.\"