In a show of heightened military preparedness and inter-service cooperation, the South Korean Navy and Marine Corps kicked off a large-scale amphibious landing exercise this week along the nation’s southeastern coastline. The drills, which began Tuesday near the coastal city of Pohang, are aimed at enhancing joint operational readiness amid evolving security challenges, including the growing threat of drone warfare.
The exercise, which will run for 10 days, marks one of the most expansive amphibious operations conducted by the South Korean military in recent years. Officials say the brigade-level drills are designed to simulate real-world combat scenarios and improve coordination between naval and marine forces for a wide range of operational demands on and off the Korean Peninsula.
Approximately 3,200 personnel are participating in the exercise, underscoring the seriousness with which South Korea views modern and unconventional threats in the region. The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the drills are not only about traditional amphibious assault capabilities but also reflect the changing nature of warfare.
The operation brings together a diverse and formidable array of military assets. According to official statements from both services:
- 17 warships, including the ROKS Marado, South Korea’s most advanced amphibious landing ship.
- 19 aircraft, among them the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, known for its submarine-hunting capabilities, and KF-16 fighter jets.
- 22 amphibious assault vehicles, enabling rapid beachhead establishment and troop deployment.
Rear Admiral Kim Jung-soo of the Republic of Korea Navy emphasized the scale and sophistication of the deployment, noting that such operations are vital to maintaining a credible deterrence posture in the region.
“This is not just a routine exercise,” Kim said. “It is a comprehensive readiness assessment that combines sea, air, and land capabilities to respond to multidimensional threats.”
What sets this year’s iteration apart is the introduction of drone warfare training, a nod to how unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have transformed conflict dynamics around the globe.
For the first time, the drills incorporate training to counter enemy suicide drones—a growing concern given recent incidents in global conflict zones where inexpensive, commercially modified drones have inflicted serious damage. The exercise also features reconnaissance drone operations, which simulate forward surveillance missions to guide amphibious landings and identify enemy positions.
Brigadier General Park Hyun-woo of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps stated that integrating unmanned technologies into conventional amphibious drills is a “strategic imperative.”
“The battlefield has changed. From Ukraine to the Middle East, we’ve seen how drones can bypass traditional defenses and disrupt operations. We are preparing our forces to detect, neutralize, and deploy drone systems in synchronized combat roles,” Park said.
South Korea has been steadily investing in counter-drone systems and domestically produced unmanned platforms, citing increasing risks posed by North Korea’s drone incursions and potential cyber-electronic warfare.
Pohang, located about 260 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is a crucial location for amphibious training. With its varied terrain and extensive coastline, the area provides realistic conditions for simulating beach assaults, coastal defenses, and urban warfare scenarios.
This geographical feature has made Pohang a frequent site for the Ssangyong Exercise, an annual or biennial amphibious drill often conducted with U.S. forces. While this week’s operation is a South Korea-only exercise, officials suggest its structure closely resembles that of multinational joint training, hinting at continued commitment to allied interoperability.
Military analysts believe this positioning also sends a subtle message to neighboring states, particularly North Korea and China, that South Korea is advancing both its strategic autonomy and technological prowess in defense matters.
While the South Korean military is quick to frame the exercise as routine and defensive in nature, it occurs at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has continued its missile launches, cyber provocations, and rhetorical threats despite international sanctions and diplomatic overtures.
Experts say the exercise demonstrates Seoul’s resolve to protect its territory and maintain stability in the region through strength and preparedness.
Dr. Lee Jae-hwan, a defense analyst at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs, said:
“The inclusion of counter-drone operations is particularly significant. It reflects the military’s transition from static defense postures to agile, tech-driven responses. At the same time, it reassures the public and allies that the military is adapting quickly to modern threats.”
The exercise also comes just months after North Korea claimed to have conducted tests of its own unmanned attack drones, adding urgency to South Korea’s ongoing modernization of its counter-drone infrastructure.
The joint nature of the drill emphasizes interoperability between the Navy and Marine Corps, a priority for the South Korean defense establishment. Through complex maneuvers involving synchronized beach landings, close air support, and logistics coordination, the two services aim to refine their ability to respond swiftly to regional crises.
The Navy’s statement highlighted that these joint efforts are essential not only for national defense but also for international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
“As South Korea takes on greater global responsibilities, exercises like these help ensure our forces are capable of rapid deployment for both defense and relief operations,” the statement said.
Looking ahead, South Korea’s armed forces are expected to increase the frequency and technological sophistication of such exercises. Defense planners are reportedly exploring deeper integration of artificial intelligence, automated logistics, and cyber-defense elements into future iterations of amphibious operations.
Moreover, the possibility of joint drills with allied forces, particularly the United States and Japan, remains high, especially given the trilateral security cooperation reinforced in recent summits.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring the success of this current drill—testing not only hardware and tactics, but the coordination, adaptability, and resilience of South Korea’s front-line defense units.
As the 10-day exercise continues, the Ministry of National Defense has promised transparent communication and further updates, reinforcing the narrative of readiness and modernization that the South Korean military seeks to project both at home and abroad.
In an era marked by rapid shifts in military technology and regional geopolitics, South Korea’s ongoing amphibious landing drill near Pohang serves as a timely demonstration of adaptive readiness. With thousands of troops, state-of-the-art platforms, and a clear focus on future threats like drone warfare, the exercise encapsulates the Republic of Korea’s commitment to staying ahead in a fast-evolving defense environment.
