The drills, which began on Wednesday, took place off the coast of Pohang, located approximately 270 kilometers (167.7 miles) southeast of Seoul. The exercise involved four naval vessels, including the ROKS Marado and the USS Boxer, both of which are amphibious assault ships. The USS Boxer can carry around 40 aircraft, including F-35B stealth fighters.
Capt. Kim Kyung-ho, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 53 of the South Korean Navy, stated that the joint exercise aimed to enhance the two navies' ability to conduct combined operations and improve interoperability in response to potential provocations from adversaries.
This joint exercise occurred just a day after South Korea marked the 76th anniversary of its armed forces, showcasing military capabilities that included the new Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile.
During the anniversary ceremony, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a warning to North Korea, stating that any use of nuclear weapons against South Korea would lead to the regime's end.
Additionally, local media reported that South Korea has signed a deal with Poland to acquire suicide drones amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Last month, North Korea publicly revealed a uranium enrichment facility for the first time, with leader Kim Jong Un advocating for an expansion of the country's nuclear capabilities.
About Korean Navy
The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), also known as the ROK Navy or South Korean Navy, is the naval warfare service branch of South Korea's armed forces, tasked with conducting naval and amphibious operations. Established on November 11, 1945, as the Marine Defense Group following Korea's liberation from Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, the ROK Navy also encompasses the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which operates as a branch within the Navy.
The ROK Navy is comprised of approximately 70,000 active personnel, including 29,000 Marines. It operates around 140 commissioned ships and maintains a naval aviation force with approximately 70 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Additionally, the ROK Marine Corps is equipped with around 300 tracked vehicles, including assault amphibious vehicles.