The South Korean Marines have announced plans to participate in an annual U.S.-led multinational exercise in Thailand that starts February seventh.

The Cobra Gold exercise, launched in 1981 to practice humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, is organized by the U.S. Pacific Command and the Thai military command.

South Korea participated as an observer starting in 2002 before sending Marines and armored landing vehicles to the drill in 2010.

This year, some ten-thousand troops from seven nations --- including the U.S., Thailand and Japan --- will participate. South Korea will send 50 Marines.