Seobangsa "We Protect the Northwestern Islands" [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo]

The Marine Corps Northwest Islands Defense Command (hereinafter referred to as the Northwest Command) conducted a large-scale exercise to protect the northwest islands, including Yeonpyeong Island and Baengnyeong Island. As part of the national defense training, approximately 6,600 personnel from the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with about 10 naval vessels and 35 aircraft, participated in this exercise.

On the first day, the Marine Corps Rapid Response Unit command and the Army's 2nd Rapid Response Division conducted an air reinforcement exercise with support from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps mobile forces, and carried out evacuation drills for residents of the northwest islands. The following day, naval vessels and amphibious assault vehicles (KAAV) were used for maritime reinforcement exercises, and anti-terrorism drills were conducted at key facilities such as the Yeonpyeong Power Plant. The Forward Surgical Team (FST), led by Dr. Lee Guk-jong of the Armed Forces Daejeon Hospital, deployed to Udo Island of Yeonpyeong Island to perform emergency surgery and evacuation of severely injured personnel caused by enemy attacks. In this exercise, wheeled armored vehicles (K-808) were deployed to the northwest islands for the first time instead of the existing tracked armored vehicles, adapting to the terrain and conditions of the island region.