South Korea and the United States are considering a large-scale combined live-fire drill next year to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their alliance.

A defense ministry spokesperson on Thursday said that various options are being weighed to show off the military's stature and the alliance's overwhelming deterrence capabilities against North Korea, with a combined joint live-fire demonstration in contention.

The joint exercise usually involves thousands of troops as well as artillery and other formidable weapons systems to demonstrate the allies' combined firepower.

If held, it would be the first time in six years following a suspension of such exercises under the former Moon Jae-in administration.

Seoul and Washington signed their mutual defense treaty in October 1953, after the end of the three-year Korean War.