U.S. and ROK troops carried out amphibious landing drills on South Korea’s east coast on Wednesday, as the allies ramp up joint exercises that they say seeks to ensure a “decisive combat” posture against North Korea’s military escalations.

The exercise featured around 30 allied vessels, including the USS Makin Island and ROKS Dokdo amphibious assault ships, and some 70 aircraft, including U.S. F-35B stealth fighters, Apache helicopters and ROK KF-16 and FA-50 jets.

The two sides executed the drills at Pohang’s Hwajin-ri Beach as part of the ongoing Ssangyong exercises that kicked off last Monday. Ssangyong is one of several joint drills the allies are running concurrently to strengthen defense capabilities against North Korean attacks and demonstrate Washington’s extended deterrence commitments on the Korean Peninsula. 

In an apparent response to these large-scale exercises, Pyongyang has stepped up weapons testing, conducting seven known missile launch events this month alone. Kim Jong Un’s recent inspection of new nuclear warheads capable of being fitted onto smaller short-range missiles also served as a reminder of DPRK’s continuing pursuit of nuclear weapons aimed at South Korea.

In Wednesday’s drills, the ROK Marine Corps sent amphibious assault vehicles to the beach in three waves of eight, followed by two U.S. hovercraft carrying U.S. marines and light armored vehicles.

The drill concluded with the South Korean and U.S. marines occupying the beach and successfully securing the target area designated as enemy territory in the simulation.

“While ensuring our ‘decisive combat’ posture, the South Korean and U.S. Marine forces will further strengthen our combined defense posture to be able to immediately punish any enemy provocations,” Col. Yoo Chang-hoon of the ROK Marine Corps said following the exercise.

Lt. Col. Eric Olson, deputy commander of the U.S. landing force, echoed the significance of these exercises amid DPRK’s growing threat while emphasizing the importance of military interaction as the allies mark 70 years of defense relations.

“This exercise is designed for the combined defense of the Korean Peninsula … and that’s important for regional stability,” he said.

The exercise drew a mixed response from South Korean civilians gathered near the staging ground. Some carrying U.S. and South Korean flags enthusiastically cheered for the bilateral alliance, while others unfurled a banner telling U.S. troops to leave the country.

The Ssangyong exercise will continue through April 3.

Edited by Arius Derr

Edited by Arius Derr