Korea to kick off annual Hoguk defense exercise next week

Troops take part in training as part of the annual Hoguk exercise in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Oct. 23, 2024. Yonhap

Korea's military will kick off an annual outdoor defense field exercise next week to bolster joint operational capabilities of the military branches and their readiness, officials said Thursday.

The Hoguk exercise will begin Monday for a five-day run after being postponed from October due to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gatherings, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The drills were initially scheduled to run from Oct. 20-24 but were postponed until after the APEC events, with the military citing the need to maintain a "thorough military readiness posture" to ensure their successful hosting.

This year's drills will involve troops and equipment from across the three military branches, focusing on strengthening operational capabilities in both peacetime and wartime scenarios, according to the JCS.

The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) will also take part in part of the drills to enhance interoperability with Korean troops, it added.

Launched in 1996, the Hoguk exercise is aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the armed forces and strengthening the military's readiness posture.