South Korea launches its annual Hoguk field drills with U.S. partners next week

Seoul will host the annual Hoguk exercise beginning Monday, a five-day outdoor training event designed to boost joint operational capabilities across land, maritime and air domains. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the drill will involve a troop count similar to the 2025 iteration and will feature realistic simulated combat and opposing-force operations. Computer-based command post simulations and strategic discussions will run alongside the field activities to maintain a robust readiness posture.

U.S. Forces Korea will participate to enhance interoperability with South Korean forces. During the Hoguk period, two of the seven field training exercises that were delayed during the Ulchi Freedom Shield will be conducted, with the remaining five slated for completion later this year.