South Korean and U.S. marines held a joint maritime infiltration drill near one of the South’s border islands on Tuesday as part of efforts to boost joint combat readiness and interoperability, the Marine Corps here said.

Some 200 South Korean Marines and some 20 American service personnel stationed in Okinawa, Japan, participated in the exercise in waters off Ganghwado Island in the Yellow Sea, where they snuck into virtual camps of enemies, attacked targets and escaped from the sites, according to the Marine Corps.

It is the first time that the two countries carried out the drill in a region adjacent to the North.

Tuesday’s infiltration exercise is part of the ongoing Korea Marine Exercise Program, which is a regularly scheduled, combined training exercise in order to enhance combat readiness and interoperability between the two countries’ marine forces.

After staging joint field maneuvers and tactical training in South Korea’s alpine city of Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, in January, the two sides moved to the western border areas to stage the comprehensive strategy drill until Friday.

“As the Ganghwado region is notorious for strong underwater currents and low visibility, the successful drill here will help bolster our capabilities and boost pride,” said Capt. Baek Sang-min, who participated in the drill.

Meanwhile, the Marine Corps of the two countries plan to conduct their annual landing drill, named Ssangyong, next month in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, according to the officials, adding some 1,000 U.S. Marines and 3,000 South Koreans are to take part in the exercise. (Yonhap)