Navy holds maneuvering drills to honor fallen troops in West Sea

Navy warships take part in maneuvering drills to honor South Korean service members killed during military clashes with North Korea in the western sea border and bolster readiness against the North's potential provocations, in this photo provided by the Navy, March 26. Yonhap

The Navy said Wednesday it has launched a series of exercises this week to honor South Korean service members killed during military clashes with North Korea in the West Sea and bolster readiness against the North's potential provocations.

Under the three-day training plan launched on Tuesday, naval troops have been conducting intensive maneuvering drills in waters off the country's western, eastern and southern coasts, according to the Navy.

Some 30 surface ships, including a submarine, a P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, an AW-159 naval helicopter, as well as the Air Force's KF-16 fighter jet have been mobilized for the drills designed to sharpen response capabilities against the North's maritime threats, it added.

The drills came as South Korea commemorates the 55 sailors and Marines killed in major clashes with North Korea near the Northern Limit Line — a de facto inter-Korean maritime border — this week.

Earlier in the day, the Navy held a ceremony to honor troops killed during the 2010 sinking of the Cheonan corvette by a North Korean attack in the West Sea.

"The drills are aimed at remembering the spirit of the 55 warriors and cementing a firm will to defend the western sea," Rear Adm. Lee Jae-seop, commander of the 2nd Fleet's Maritime Battle Group 2, said.

He stressed the fleet is equipped with the highest level of military readiness posture to counter any North Korean provocation. (Yonhap)