The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Friday that it will kick off its annual nationwide military drill next week.
 
Starting on Monday and running for 12 days, the JCS said this year’s Hoguk Exercise will include the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The drill will test the coordination of the four military branches and enhance how they would respond to a regional or all-out provocation by North Korea.
 
The operations to be conducted during the exercise will involve front-line areas. It will also feature an interactive drill between the mechanized infantry divisions, defense for the five northwest islets, defense against coastline or underwater infiltration, a joint amphibious drill and an exercise to detect and shoot down ballistic missiles.
 
Around 330-thousand servicemen will participate in the Hoguk Exercise, which has been held since 1996. Some of the operations will be conducted together with the U.S. Forces.