Seoul: South Korea is contemplating delaying its annual large-scale field training exercise, initially slated for mid-October, to the following month. This decision is under consideration due to the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, as stated by military officials.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Hoguk exercise, which engages all three branches of the South Korean armed forces, was originally scheduled to commence on October 15 and last for a week. However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) are reviewing the possibility of rescheduling the drills to November. This review is influenced by the APEC summit, scheduled for October 31 to November 1, and an anticipated personnel reshuffle among corps-level commanders.

A JCS official noted, "We are reviewing whether to postpone the exercise, but nothing has been confirmed yet." The Hoguk exercise, launched in 1996, is designed to enhance interoperability among the armed forces and bolster military readiness. The United States Forces Korea (USFK) has frequently participated in these drills.

The Hoguk exercise has historical significance, as it was during preparations for this exercise in 2010 that North Korea launched artillery shells on Yeonpyeong Island, resulting in the deaths of two South Korean Marines and two civilians. There is speculation that the potential rescheduling of the drills reflects the Lee Jae Myung administration's efforts to reduce tensions with North Korea and improve inter-Korean relations.

Earlier this year, South Korea postponed certain field training exercises related to the large-scale annual summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, moving them from mid-August to September. North Korea has consistently criticized these combined exercises, viewing them as rehearsals for an invasion.