▲ This file photo shows troops from the Army's 51st Infantry Division taking part in a terror response training as part of the Hwarang defense drills in Suwon, just south of Seoul, on June 18, 2025. (Yonhap)

military-defense drills

S. Korean military launches annual Hwarang defense drills

SEOUL, April 6 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean military on Monday kicked off its monthslong annual defense drills in coordination with government, police and firefighting agencies in a bid to enhance an integrated defense posture across regions.

The first segment of the Hwarang defense drills began Monday for a five-day run in the southeastern city of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, and such exercises will continue through November in other regions, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

This year, the drills will focus on training under various emergency scenarios, such as drone attacks against energy facilities and other key national infrastructure.

Launched in 1977, the Hwarang drills are designed to assess an integrated defense posture between relevant agencies, incorporating contingencies tailored to participating regions.

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[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]