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An Army 8th Maneuver Division K2 tank crosses a floating bridge constructed by the Army 7th Engineer Brigade during a river-crossing exercise held in the Namhan River in Yeonyang-dong, Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on November 25 of last year as part of the 2025 Hoguk exercise. / Yonhap

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced on the 15th that it will conduct the 2026 Hoguk exercise, an annual field training exercise, from the 19th to the 30th.

The JCS stated that the South Korean military is conducting the Hoguk drills to enhance joint operational capabilities and establish a firm military readiness posture.

The Hoguk exercise refers to large-scale field training drills conducted annually in the second half of the year to bolster South Korea's self-reliant defense capabilities led by its own military. Through this exercise, the armed forces plan to strengthen jointness and combat realism by integrally operating joint forces across the multi-domain realms of land, sea, and air.

The JCS stated, "During this exercise, the JCS will conduct realistic field training exercises—including the deployment of actual opposing forces and bilateral force-on-force drills—in light of recent wartime trends and realistic threats, while concurrently running command post exercises for the JCS battle staff alongside various tactical discussions to establish an unwavering readiness posture capable of responding immediately to any threat."

Meanwhile, the JCS explained that among seven combined field training exercises adjusted during the previous Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) combined drills, two will be conducted in conjunction with the Hoguk exercise, and five will be completed within the year.

A JCS official requested public cooperation, noting, "Large numbers of troops and equipment are scheduled to move along major roads and thoroughfares during the exercise period. While this may cause some traffic congestion and noise, we ask for the public's broad understanding and support, as these drills are essential for national defense."

                                                                                                             Lee Han-sol