Lessons from recent conflicts are shaping how the United Nations Command (UNC) prepares for its role in defending Korea, including through the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise. Lt. Gen. Scott Winter, deputy commander of the UNC, said Thursday the command is using every opportunity to prepare for evolving threats seen in conflicts such as Ukraine and Iran. “The threat continues to evolve, therefore we cannot stand still,” Winter said during a roundtable with defense ministry reporters. He said the UNC uses exercises to prepare for emerging threats while seeking interoperability across all domains. Winter pointed to North Korea’s involvement in the war in Ukraine, saying its troops are likely to have brought home lessons from their experience in the conflict. He said one of the key lessons from the war in Ukraine is that “deterrence can fail.” Winter said the response should include greater investment in deterrent capabilities, including hard power and what he called “the willpower of the many.” He also repeated a phrase often used by Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander o
