▲ The ROKS Pohang frigate (front) and the ROKS Gangwon frigate stage maritime drills in the East Sea on Oct. 22, 2024, in this photo provided by the Navy on Oct. 25. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Navy-warship drills

Navy holds warship drills in East Sea amid N. Korean threats

SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- The Navy has staged warship maneuver drills in the East Sea to enhance its readiness against possible North Korean maritime infiltrations and attacks, officials said Friday.

The four-day exercise kicked off Tuesday, involving some 20 vessels, including the ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong Aegis-equipped destroyer, and various aircraft, such as the P-3 maritime patrol plane and the Air Force's F-5 fighter.

The U.S. military also joined the drills by deploying P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and A-10 attack aircraft.

This week's exercise was focused on training troops to respond to various attack scenarios, such as countering infiltrations by enemy special forces and other surprise underwater, maritime and aerial provocations, the Navy said.

It also included other drills to boost readiness, such as those on anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare, according to the Navy.

Cross-border tensions have recently heightened in the wake of North Korea's explosions of inter-Korean roads last week and continued launches of balloons carrying trash into the South.

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