The drills are aimed at practicing deployment of forces in case North Korea makes provocative moves ahead of South Korea's parliamentary elections next month, the military said.
The exercise took place on March 15 around the islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong near the border with North Korea in the Yellow Sea. It involved the Marine Corps’ rapid maneuver force, LST-II landing craft, Marineon helicopters (MUH-1) and amphibious assault vehicles (KAAV), according to the Northwestern Islands Defense Command.
Also participating in the exercise were AH-64E Apache attack helicopters of the South Korean army.
South Korean troops participate in military drills around frontline islands on March 15.
Previously, South Korea and the US concluded their annual “Freedom Shield” exercise on March 14 with the aim of strengthening deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.
'Small spark can ignite nuclear war': North Korea condemns US-South Korea drills
North Korea has not yet responded to the latest South Korean drills. However, on March 16, the KCNA news agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had directed a military drill involving paratroopers and called for thorough preparations for a war scenario. According to KCNA, the training was aimed at testing the readiness to mobilize paratroopers for any combat plan in a sudden war situation.
In a previous development, according to KCNA news agency on March 14, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un directed a military training on a new battle tank. This is considered a show of force in the context of South Korea and the US having just finished a joint military exercise.
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