Report: British troops deploy to Korean Peninsula

The Royal Marines have returned to the Korean Peninsula to participate in Exercise Ssang Yong, alongside forces from the United States and South Korea.

This biannual exercise, meaning “twin dragons,” focuses on enhancing the operational capabilities and cooperation among allied forces in the region.

Exercise Ssang Yong runs from August 26 to September 7 and features participation from over 40 ships and 40 aircraft, including F-35B Lightning jets and Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicles.

“Alpha Company lead the way for the Commando Force as Ssang Yong takes place along South Korea’s east coast and around the Pohang area on the Sea of Japan. The Commandos have already carried out raiding rehearsals in preparation for the main phases of Ssang Yong alongside US Marines assigned to the Reconnaissance Company, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Republic of Korea Marines with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.

With the exercise now in full swing, the British contingent are involved in amphibious and air assaults to secure objectives, carrying out raids ahead of the main forces and guiding aircraft to targets on the ground. A ‘decisive action’ phase next week will see large-scale manoeuvres from sea and air to showcase the overwhelming power the allies can bring to bear, namely on complex amphibious operations.

The exercise runs across 13 days – August 26 to September 7 – and includes more than 40 ships, 40 aircraft, including F-35B Lightning jets, and 40 Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicles. 

Royal Marines took part in their first Ssang Yong last year as they returned to the Korean Peninsula for the first time since the Korean War, during which Royal Marines of 41 Independent Commando saw action as far north as Lake Chosin and carried out amphibious raids behind North Korean lines between 1950 and 1951. 40 Commando have been focused on deployments east of the Suez Canal for the past two years, having been deployed in Australia across the summer for Exercise Predators Run.”

This return is notable, as it was the first time the Royal Marines have been in the area since the Korean War, when they conducted operations behind enemy lines.

40 Commando has focused its efforts on deployments east of the Suez Canal, including their recent exercise in Australia, where they demonstrated military strength by moving deep into the outback.