BUSAN -- South Korean Navy vessels joined ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) near Busan on Saturday to practice conducting combined search and rescue operations.

   The exercise aims to help sailors hone their skills and strengthen cooperative ties in hopes of enhancing operational effectiveness in emergency situations, local military sources said.

   The naval maneuver has been held every other year since 1999.

   South Korea deployed its Wang Geon destroyer, the Wonsan mine layer and Go Jun Bong amphibious landing vessel along with a P-3 Orion maritime patrol plane and a Lynx helicopter.

   The JMSDF sent two 4,200-ton destroyers as well as airplanes and helicopters for the exercise.

   The Navy said that training will run through Sunday with overall assessments to take place on Monday.

(Yonhap News)