Article Posted on : - Feb 22, 2011

A file photo.

SEOUL (BNS): The navies of US and South Korea are planning to conduct a joint naval exercise this year on the islands near the Yellow Sea border, according to a media report.

"A South Korean-US Marine Corps joint drill is planned for Yellow Sea islands this year. The planned drill would take place near the islands of Baengnyeong or Yeonpyeong,” Yonhap quoted a senior official as saying on Tuesday.

The exercise would be the first of its kind involving marines from the two nations on the Yellow Sea islands, one of which was targeted by a deadly North Korean bombardment last November, it said.

US and S Korea are ready to commence their regularly scheduled military drills Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise from next Monday.

Over 12,800 US personnel and more than 200,000 South Korean troops, including reservists will participate in the US, S Korea annual military exercise.