Ankara: The South Korean Navy announced that it has conducted maritime defense drills this week in waters off the country's western and southern coasts in response to perceived "maritime threats" from North Korea.

According to Anadolu Agency, the four-day exercise, which commenced on Monday, involved the mobilization of 20 surface ships and approximately a dozen aircraft from the South Korean Navy's Second and Third Fleets. The exercise aimed to bolster the navy's readiness and response capabilities against potential threats from North Korean special forces and submarines.

The drills were further enhanced by the participation of the US Forces Korea's AH-64E attack helicopters. The exercise in the Yellow Sea was specifically designed to train troops on response measures and logistics procedures at sea, highlighting the ongoing strategic cooperation between South Korea and the United States to maintain security in the region.