South Korea's Navy said on the 20th that it is conducting large-scale combined and joint maritime maneuver drills in the Yellow Sea with the Air Force and the U.S. Navy.
The exercise, running through the 23rd as part of the 2026 Hoguk defense drills, is designed to sharpen combined and joint maritime operational capabilities and solidify military readiness.
More than 20 South Korean surface vessels are taking part, including the Aegis destroyer Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (7,600 tons), the destroyer Gang Gam-chan (4,400 tons) and the Eulji Mundeok (3,200 tons). Combined and joint assets also joined the drills, including maritime patrol aircraft from the South Korean and U.S. navies and Air Force fighter jets.
The training covers maritime maneuvers, live naval gunfire, maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare and combined maritime counter-special operations forces (MCSOF) drills, with a focus on strengthening responses to a range of enemy provocations.
"This is a realistic maneuver exercise aimed at having our troops fully master their assigned missions across diverse combat situations," said Brig. Gen. Jung Seung-il, commander of the 2nd Maritime Battle Group, which is leading the drills. "Through rigorous training, we will firmly establish a military readiness posture that ensures victory if we fight."