The U.S. and South Korea kicked off the second phase of their summer military exercises on Monday, focusing on live-action drills that simulate a “counterattack” against a hypothetical North Korean invasion.

The final stage of the nine-day Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) joint exercises will wrap up Thursday and follow last week’s phase one drills on “repelling” DPRK attacks and protecting the Seoul metropolitan area, according to the ROK defense ministry.

“The exercises are continuing,” defense ministry spokesperson Moon Hong-sik said in a briefing on Monday, adding that there is “nothing special” going on in the North when asked about DPRK