South Korea and the United States kicked off joint military drills Monday, South Korea¡¯s Yonhap news agency reported, despite warnings and weapons tests from North Korea in recent weeks.

The two allies will stage drills with a command-post exercise mostly involving computer simulations, not mobilization of troops or military equipment, for about two weeks, while also testing South Korea¡¯s capabilities in retaking operational control over its forces from the United States during wartime, Yonhap reported, citing unidentified sources.

South Korea¡¯s Defense Ministry had earlier said the two countries were preparing to hold the exercises, but did not confirm when they would start.