By Jun Ji-hye
The military plans to conduct a drill this month designed to defend the nation's easternmost islets of Dokdo in case of an outside invasion, a government source said Friday.
The exercise involving the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army is scheduled for Nov. 24 on the rocky islets and surrounding waters in the East Sea.
"The goal of the drill is to block non-military forces that approach the outcroppings via a sea and air route," said the source, asking not to be named.
The exercise, apparently designed to hold Japan in check, is expected to stir up a backlash from Tokyo. Japan has claimed that Dokdo, which lies closer to South Korea, is part of its territory, although it never established sovereignty.
Seoul has carried out the exercise twice a year since 1986 with the latest on May 30, with Japan expressing displeasure each time.
Five to six destroyers as well as the Air Force's F-15K fighters and Navy's P-3C patrol planes are ready to participate in the drill. Forces from the Army and National Police Agency of North Gyeongsang Province are set to take part.
"The drill will include a landing exercise by a squad of Marines from a UH-60 helicopter," said the source.
In response to protests from Tokyo about Dokdo defense drills, Seoul has said that such claims amount to Japan's denial of Korea's independence from its 1910-45 colonial rule, as Seoul reclaimed sovereignty over all its territories ― including Dokdo and many other islands around the Korean Peninsula ― upon its independence.
Meanwhile, the Navy and the Marine Corps are planning a large-scale joint landing exercise from today through Thursday to deter military provocations from North Korea.
The six-day amphibious landing exercise will take place on the southeast coast of the Korean Peninsula as part of the military's ongoing annual war exercise of Hoguk (Defending the Nation).
The Navy said in its statement that the landing drill would involve 1,200 Marines and 20 vessels, including the 14,500-ton helicopter landing ship Dokdo ship and a 7,600-ton Aegis destroyer.
"Some 40 aircraft from the Army, Navy and Air Force will also participate," it said.
During the exercise, an MH-53 helicopter of the U.S. Navy is set to land on and take off from the Dokdo ship in a bid to show the joint capabilities between the two countries, the Navy noted.
"The exercise is expected to boost the Korean military's capabilities of launching landing operations on its own and to enhance interoperability and coordination among the different branches of the military," the statement said.
North Korea has criticized the exercise, claiming it is tantamount to preparing for an invasion of the North.
Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye
The military plans to conduct a drill this month designed to defend the nation's easternmost islets of Dokdo in case of an outside invasion, a government source said Friday.
The exercise involving the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army is scheduled for Nov. 24 on the rocky islets and surrounding waters in the East Sea.
"The goal of the drill is to block non-military forces that approach the outcroppings via a sea and air route," said the source, asking not to be named.
The exercise, apparently designed to hold Japan in check, is expected to stir up a backlash from Tokyo. Japan has claimed that Dokdo, which lies closer to South Korea, is part of its territory, although it never established sovereignty.
Seoul has carried out the exercise twice a year since 1986 with the latest on May 30, with Japan expressing displeasure each time.
Five to six destroyers as well as the Air Force's F-15K fighters and Navy's P-3C patrol planes are ready to participate in the drill. Forces from the Army and National Police Agency of North Gyeongsang Province are set to take part.
"The drill will include a landing exercise by a squad of Marines from a UH-60 helicopter," said the source.
In response to protests from Tokyo about Dokdo defense drills, Seoul has said that such claims amount to Japan's denial of Korea's independence from its 1910-45 colonial rule, as Seoul reclaimed sovereignty over all its territories ― including Dokdo and many other islands around the Korean Peninsula ― upon its independence.
Meanwhile, the Navy and the Marine Corps are planning a large-scale joint landing exercise from today through Thursday to deter military provocations from North Korea.
The six-day amphibious landing exercise will take place on the southeast coast of the Korean Peninsula as part of the military's ongoing annual war exercise of Hoguk (Defending the Nation).
The Navy said in its statement that the landing drill would involve 1,200 Marines and 20 vessels, including the 14,500-ton helicopter landing ship Dokdo ship and a 7,600-ton Aegis destroyer.
"Some 40 aircraft from the Army, Navy and Air Force will also participate," it said.
During the exercise, an MH-53 helicopter of the U.S. Navy is set to land on and take off from the Dokdo ship in a bid to show the joint capabilities between the two countries, the Navy noted.
"The exercise is expected to boost the Korean military's capabilities of launching landing operations on its own and to enhance interoperability and coordination among the different branches of the military," the statement said.
North Korea has criticized the exercise, claiming it is tantamount to preparing for an invasion of the North.
Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye
