South Korean Marines Conduct Comprehensive Defense Drills to Safeguard Yeonpyeong Island

The South Korean Marine Corps’ Yeonpyeong Unit, tasked with defending the westernmost frontline, is conducting comprehensive island defense drills to significantly enhance its rapid response capabilities.

On Wednesday and Thursday this week, the Yeonpyeong Unit carried out drills in the Yeonpyeong Island area to prepare for localized provocations, including enemy infiltration and drone attacks.

The comprehensive island defense drills were designed to improve the operational readiness of secondary command posts and survivability positions, enhance the unit’s ability to respond swiftly to various enemy provocation scenarios, ensure the safety of island residents, and bolster the integrated response capabilities of on-site and joint forces.

On the first day, the unit focused on mastering the operational procedures of crisis response mechanisms in scenarios involving complex provocations such as enemy drones and artillery fire. The training included securing secondary command posts for survivability and practicing counterfire procedures in response to artillery provocations.

Additionally, troops assigned to resident evacuation guidance teams worked closely with relevant institutions, such as the Yeonpyeong Township Office, to review evacuation and dispersal plans for island residents and inspect related facilities.

On Thursday, all personnel not engaged in current operations were equipped with personal firearms and gear and deployed to outpost operations to prepare for surprise enemy assaults and gain practical combat experience.

Major Kwon Young Hwi, the commander of the Air Defense Battalion, stated, “Through these drills, we are reinforcing seamless combat readiness to counter enemy provocations effectively.”