On September 2, dozens of landing vehicles carrying South Korean and US marines entered the coast of Pohang city in North Gyeongsang province, 273km southeast of Seoul, to protect target areas. This activity is part of a joint exercise designed to enhance the amphibious capabilities of the two countries.

Dozens of military vehicles carrying South Korean and US marines conducted a landing exercise on the coast of Pohang city in North Gyeongsang province, 273km southeast of Seoul, on September 2, 2024. Photo: YONHAP/TTXVN

According to a VNA correspondent in South Korea, this beach landing exercise is an important stage in the annual Ssang Yong (Song Long) exercise of the allies, which started on August 26 and lasted for 13 days. Commandos from the two countries, along with South Korean drones, scouted coastal areas before US F-35B stealth fighters and AH-1Z attack helicopters fired on simulated targets to protect the area before landing.

More than 50 South Korean and US landing vehicles then entered the beach, followed by paratroopers jumping from C-130 transport aircraft into the target area. The exercise involved about 40 warships, including the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, and about 40 aircraft, including US V-22 Osprey aircraft. A company-sized commando unit from the British Marine Corps also participated in the exercise for the second consecutive year.

This year’s Ssang Yong exercise featured a joint team of South Korean and US officers commanding the exercise for the first time, overseeing the exercise aboard the Republic of Korea Navy’s amphibious assault ship ROKS Marado.

North Korea has consistently criticized joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, viewing them as preparations for war and an act of “military aggression” against Pyongyang.

On September 2, dozens of landing vehicles carrying South Korean and US marines entered the coast of Pohang city in North Gyeongsang province, 273km southeast of Seoul, to protect target areas. This activity is part of a joint exercise designed to enhance the amphibious capabilities of the two countries.

Dozens of military vehicles carrying South Korean and US marines conducted a landing exercise on the coast of Pohang city in North Gyeongsang province, 273km southeast of Seoul, on September 2, 2024. Photo: YONHAP/TTXVN

According to a VNA correspondent in South Korea, this beach landing exercise is an important stage in the annual Ssang Yong (Song Long) exercise of the allies, which started on August 26 and lasted for 13 days. Commandos from the two countries, along with South Korean drones, scouted coastal areas before US F-35B stealth fighters and AH-1Z attack helicopters fired on simulated targets to protect the area before landing.

More than 50 South Korean and US landing vehicles then entered the beach, followed by paratroopers jumping from C-130 transport aircraft into the target area. The exercise involved about 40 warships, including the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, and about 40 aircraft, including US V-22 Osprey aircraft. A company-sized commando unit from the British Marine Corps also participated in the exercise for the second consecutive year.

This year’s Ssang Yong exercise featured a joint team of South Korean and US officers commanding the exercise for the first time, overseeing the exercise aboard the Republic of Korea Navy’s amphibious assault ship ROKS Marado.

North Korea has consistently criticized joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, viewing them as preparations for war and an act of “military aggression” against Pyongyang.