SEOUL, U.S. Marines based in Okinawa arrived in South Korea earlier this week to join an ongoing bilateral exercise with the South’s Marines Corps, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Thursday, amid efforts to boost readiness against North Korean threats.

Troops from the III Marine Expeditionary Force were deployed to South Korea on Sunday to participate in the latest edition of the Korea Marine Exercise Program, according to the USFK.

The three-week exercise began in Pohang, 262 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Feb. 1. U.S. Marines stationed outside of South Korea are regularly deployed to take part in such drills.

The latest exercise is set to feature multiple training events designed to enhance the two sides’ combined defensive capabilities, such as live-fire exercises and close air support training, the USFK said.

“The successful deployment of U.S Marines and their equipment to the ROK to train with their ROK Marine Corps counterparts demonstrates the Combined Marine Component Command’s readiness, capa
bility, and iron-clad commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance,” the USFK said in a release.

ROK stands for South Korea’s official name, the Republic of Korea.

Source: Yonhap News Agency