Why the South Korea-US Alliance is Strengthening: A Look at Recent Military Exercises

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JCS Chairman, U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Commander Visit 6th Marine BrigadeJCS Chairman, U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Commander Visit 6th Marine Brigade
(Seoul=Yonhap) On March 12, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Young-seung and U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Commander Javier Brunson received a readiness briefing at the 6th Marine Brigade. March 12, 2026 [Provided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Resale and DB prohibited]
photo@yna.co.kr
(End)
「Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, AI training and use prohibited」JCS Chairman, U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Commander Visit 6th Marine Brigade
(Seoul=Yonhap) On March 12, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Young-seung and U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Commander Javier Brunson received a readiness briefing at the 6th Marine Brigade. March 12, 2026 [Provided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Resale and DB prohibited]
photo@yna.co.kr
(End)
「Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, AI training and use prohibited」

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Chairman Jin Young-seung visited the 6th Marine Brigade on Baengnyeong Island on March 12, accompanied by U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Commander Javier Brunson, to inspect combined and joint operational readiness.

Jin urged the field commanders conducting combined maneuver training tied to the annual U.S.-ROK Freedom Shield (FS) exercise to demonstrate the alliance’s resolve through high‑intensity field maneuvers and to sharpen realistic, war‑fighting combined operational capabilities.

He also praised the troops for carrying out a critical mission protecting the public on Baengnyeong Island, a forward outpost that guards the Northern Limit Line (NLL) and serves as a gateway toward the Seoul metropolitan area.

Meanwhile, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha visited the Incheon urban combat training area on March 12 to inspect integrated defense drills conducted in conjunction with the FS exercise.

The exercise took the form of integrated outdoor maneuvers and involved the Army’s 17th Infantry Division alongside civilian agencies, local government units, military forces, police and fire services.

Gen. Kim emphasized the growing importance of urban operations in modern warfare, saying, \”We must continue integrated training to prepare for the full range of threats that can arise in urban environments and maintain the readiness needed to protect the lives and safety of our citizens.\”

#JCSChairman #USROKCombinedForcesCommander #BaengnyeongIsland #USROKJointExercise #FS_Exercise

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Ji Seong-rim (yoonik@yna.co.kr)