[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] Western Army Command Joint Island Defense Training until the 23rd

Outdoor Maneuver Training Assuming Provocation Types
Resumed in June This Year After 6 Years

The Marine Corps is conducting a defense training exercise on the northwestern islands until the 23rd. The joint comprehensive island defense training by the Northwestern Islands Defense Command (hereinafter referred to as Seobangsa) was usually held twice a year in the past, but it had not been held since 2017 and was resumed last June after six years.

Seobangsa, whose commander also serves as the Marine Corps Commandant, has been conducting a comprehensive island defense training around Baengnyeongdo for three days since the 21st, amid North Korea’s third military reconnaissance satellite launch and ballistic missile provocations.

This training is being conducted as a field training exercise (FTX), assuming various types of provocations that could occur in the Baengnyeongdo island military area during wartime and peacetime. Over 600 troops, K-9 self-propelled howitzers, K1E1 tanks, and 30mm wheeled self-propelled anti-aircraft guns have been deployed, with the command of the Marine Corps 1st Division rapid response unit participating as reinforcement forces.

The training scenario assumes an unidentified enemy infiltration, southward drone incursions, and the start of fire provocations. It also assumes escalating crisis situations in stages, such as the enemy attempting surprise assaults via sea and air, and attacks by enemy special warfare units, to practice response procedures. During this process, each training unit focuses on mastering reflexive responses by performing missions such as counter-fire operations, counter-landing defense, and anti-air operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Kwon Yong-hyun stated, "Through this training, we practically verified the battalion’s combat power and gained confidence that ‘if we fight, we will definitely win.’ The Marine Corps will immediately, strongly, and relentlessly retaliate against any provocation by the enemy and will surely defend the northwestern islands."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.