2026 Joint Firepower Training: How South Korea Showcases Military Strength Amid Rising Tensions

Ji Seong-rim. | 2026.05.07

Translation result
Combined Joint Integrated Fire Live-Fire Exercise(Seoul=Yonhap) At the Seungjin Scientific Live-Fire Training Range in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 6th, tanks and armored vehicles followed up with breakthrough attacks after troops cleared a passage through an obstacle zone during this year's first Combined Joint Integrated Fire Live-Fire Exercise, held in connection with the 2025 FS exercise. 2025.3.6 [Provided by the Army. Resale and DB prohibited] photo@yna.co.kr (end) 「Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency, unauthorized reproduction-redistribution, AI training and use prohibited」(Seoul=Yonhap) At the Seungjin Scientific Live-Fire Training Range in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 6th, tanks and armored vehicles followed up with breakthrough attacks after troops cleared a passage through an obstacle zone during this year's first Combined Joint Integrated Fire Live-Fire Exercise, held in connection with the 2025 FS exercise. 2025.3.6 [Provided by the Army. Resale and DB prohibited] photo@yna.co.kr (end) 「Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency, unauthorized reproduction-redistribution, AI training and use prohibited」
For the first time under the Lee Jae‑myung administration, a major combined live‑fire exercise will involve a large share of South Korea’s frontline combat forces. The Defense Ministry announced on the 6th that it will hold the 2026 Joint Fire Exercise at the Seungjin Firing Range in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, over three days: May 18, 21 and 26.The ministry said the drills are intended to demonstrate the military’s readiness and joint operational capabilities amid a tense security environment. It noted this is the first combined fire exercise conducted since the inauguration of the "people's‑sovereignty" government.The Defense Ministry is recruiting civilian observers through May 10. Officials plan to select roughly 400 people for each viewing day, about 1,200 in total. Citizens may apply via the ministry’s official website and social media channels.The exercise will open live‑fire and maneuver demonstrations by South Korea’s advanced joint forces to the public. The Air Force aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, will perform an aerial demonstration. Organizers will also host an equipment exhibition where visitors can view and, in some cases, handle key K‑defense systems and newly fielded weaponry.Large-scale firepower demonstrations date back to 1977; this year’s event marks the 13th iteration. Then–Prime Minister Hwang Kyo‑ahn, acting as president, presided over the 2017 drill. The exercise was not held during the Moon Jae‑in administration and returned at its largest scale in 2023 under the Yoon Suk‑yeol government.On the first anniversary of the "people's‑sovereignty" government, the Defense Ministry said it aims to showcase an independent defense posture rooted in jointness and advanced technology, demonstrate the operational capabilities of modern joint forces, and reaffirm its commitment to becoming "the people's military."#MinistryOfNationalDefense #JointFireExercise #CivilianObservers #LiveFire #ManeuverTraining Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23 Seongrim Ji (yoonik@yna.co.kr)
Ji Seong-rim.

Ji Seong-rim.

2026 Joint Firepower Training: How South Korea Showcases Military Strength Amid Rising TensionsNorth Korea Launches 7th Short-Range Ballistic Missile of 2026: What This Means for Regional Security