POHANG — South Korea and the United States are poised to commence a significant amphibious landing exercise this week in Pohang and along the eastern coast. The drill is aimed at enhancing the combat readiness and interoperability of the allied forces.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this year’s Ssangyong (double dragon) exercise is set to run from Monday through September 7. It will feature division-level landing forces and approximately 40 vessels, including two amphibious assault ships, the ROKS Dokdo and the ROKS Marado, as well as the USS Boxer. Military officials also noted that around 40 aircraft, including F-35B radar-evading jets, and about 40 amphibious assault vehicles will participate in the exercise.
For the first time, the allies’ Marine Corps will organize a combined staff group to lead the landing exercise aboard the ROKS Marado. Additionally, a joint military command overseeing drone operations, launched in September last year, will take part in the Ssangyong exercise for the first time, focusing on surveillance activities with drones.
The exercise will also see the participation of Britain’s Royal Marines Commandos for the second consecutive year. The “decisive action” phase of the exercise is scheduled early next month, which will showcase the combined capabilities of the troops, landing ships, fighters, and helicopters in a significant display of force.
The Ssangyong exercise was resumed for the first time in five years in March 2023, having been paused since 2018 during the Moon Jae-in administration’s pursuit of inter-Korean rapprochement.