The government plans to conduct regular joint military-police exercises in defense of the easternmost islets of Dokdo, as planned, amid Japan's renewed territorial claim over the islets.

A Seoul official said Friday that the government is making adjustments to the schedule for the two maritime drills planned for this year, but doesn't intend to cut the number of overall exercises.

The official added that the schedule is subject to change depending on other drills, plans or weather, and that the exercises do not necessarily have to be carried out once in the first half and another time in the second half of the year.

The government has conducted the Dokdo defense exercises twice every year since 2003. The Navy, Air Force, and Korea Coast Guard participate in the drills.