Overview

• The US and South Korean navies completed four days of joint drills in the East Sea on May 11, 2025, aimed at enhancing readiness against North Korean threats.
• Training scenarios included repelling simulated infiltrations by North Korean special forces across the Northern Limit Line and countering submarine threats.
• The exercises addressed multi-domain threats, including air defense against drones, maritime provocations, and weapons of mass destruction proliferation.
• Approximately 10 South Korean ships, including the ROKS Yulgok Yi I destroyer, and the US destroyer USS William P. Lawrence participated, alongside aircraft and submarines.
• The drills followed North Korea's launch of its first 5,000-ton destroyer, signaling a more assertive maritime posture and raising regional security concerns.