South Korea to participate in annual multinational military exercise in Thailand

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - South Korea will take part in a multinational combined exercise set to be held in Thailand next week, according to military authorities.

About 390 South Korean Navy personnel and marines are set to depart the southern port city of Busan on Thursday to participate in "Cobra Gold," the largest multinational combined exercise held annually in Thailand since 1982 and hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Scheduled for Feb. 23 to March 6, this year's exercise is expected to be one of the largest, featuring amphibious landings and other drills with military personnel from about 10 countries including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

South Korea will showcase its defense capabilities with home-grown amphibious assault vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, and other equipment.

Among the highlights is Cheonho, a 30-mm wheeled anti-aircraft gun developed by Hanwha Aerospace, which will join live-fire training overseas for the first time.

Col. Hwang Sang-geun, who leads the South Korean delegation, said, "Cobra Gold would provide an opportunity for the South Korean Navy and Marine Corps to strengthen combined military readiness and improve operational capabilities."