Joint Military Exercise of North and South Korea

For the first time in history, the two Koreas will observe a military exercise together, which is to take place overseas.

The South Korean Ministry of Defense confirmed yesterday that it would send its warships and delegation to a multinational naval rescue practice operation hosted by the Russian Pacific Fleet. The drill is to take place August 18 to 27.

A Defense Ministry official said, "We plan to dispatch one warship, accommodating 2,000 solders, one rescue chopper, and a delegation consisting of two colonels to the joint military exercise."

He added, "Russia also asked for North Korea`s participation, as far as I know. In response, North Korea is said to have decided to send two military officers to the exercise."

The Ministry expects the joint exercise to provide a natural setting where the two delegations can mingle comfortably.

Defense Ministers of South Korea and Russia met last December to sign a military agreement, which took effect this March. The agreement laid the groundwork for the South Korean Navy`s participation.

The multinational military exercise is being held to prevent illegal fishing and to boost the ability to search on the Okhotsk Sea and Bering Sea In total, 30,000 solders, 50 airplanes and helicopters, and 110 warships are to participate in the drill from South Korea, the United States, Russia, China and Canada

Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com