South Korean Navy starts combined exercise with US Navy in West Sea, to run to 23 October
In short
The South Korean Navy began a combined and joint maritime maneuver exercise in the West Sea on 20 October, with the Air Force and the US Navy taking part. The training, part of the 2026 Hoguk exercise, runs until 23 October and involves more than 20 Navy surface ships.
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The South Korean Navy began a combined and joint maritime maneuver exercise in the West Sea on 20 October, working with the Air Force and the US Navy, Yonhap reported. Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily said the Navy announced on 20 October that it was carrying out the training. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
The exercise is part of the 2026 Hoguk (호국) exercise and runs until 23 October. According to the Navy, as cited by Asia Economy, it is meant to improve combined and joint maritime operations capability and to establish military readiness. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
More than 20 Navy surface ships are taking part, among them the Aegis destroyer Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (서애류성룡함, 7,600 tonnes) and the destroyers Gang Gam-chan (강감찬함, 4,400 tonnes) and Eulji Mundeok (을지문덕함, 3,200 tonnes). South Korean and US Navy maritime patrol aircraft and Air Force fighter jets are also taking part. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The training covers maneuver drills, live naval gunfire, maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare and combined maritime counter-special operations forces operations (MCSOF). It is intended to strengthen the ability to respond to various provocations by an enemy. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Rear Adm. Jeong Seung-il (정승일), commander of the 2nd Maritime Task Group (2해상전투단), leads the training. He called it a realistic maneuver exercise for service members to fully master their assigned missions in various combat situations. "Through intensive education and training, we will firm up our military readiness so that we can certainly win if we fight," he said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The documents present the exercise as readiness training meant to improve combined and joint maritime operations. They name no specific adversary and give no reaction from other parties.
Key facts
- The Navy began the combined and joint maritime maneuver exercise in the West Sea on 20 October, with the Air Force and the US Navy. [ 1 , 4 ]
- The exercise is part of the 2026 Hoguk (호국) exercise and runs until 23 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- More than 20 Navy surface ships take part, including the Aegis destroyer Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (서애류성룡함, 7,600 tonnes) and the destroyers Gang Gam-chan (강감찬함, 4,400 tonnes) and Eulji Mundeok (을지문덕함, 3,200 tonnes). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- South Korean and US Navy maritime patrol aircraft and Air Force fighter jets also take part. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The programme includes maneuver training, live naval gunfire, maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare and combined maritime counter-special operations forces operations (MCSOF). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Rear Adm. Jeong Seung-il (정승일), commander of the 2nd Maritime Task Group (2해상전투단), leads the training. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Navy is conducting a combined and joint maritime maneuver exercise in the West Sea from 20 to 23 October as part of the 2026 Hoguk exercise. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The stated aims are to improve combined and joint maritime operations capability and to establish military readiness. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- More than 20 Navy surface ships, South Korean and US Navy maritime patrol aircraft and Air Force fighters take part. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- How many US ships and aircraft take part The documents mention the US Navy and US Navy maritime patrol aircraft but give no numbers or ship names for the US side.
- Where in the West Sea the drills take place The documents say only that the exercise is in the West Sea and give no more precise location.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap reports that the Navy has begun the combined and joint maritime maneuver exercise in the West Sea. [ 1 ]
- Asia Economy reports the exercise, citing the Navy. [ 2 ]
- Newsis reports that the Navy said it is conducting the exercise. [ 3 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reports that the Navy said it is conducting the exercise. [ 4 ]