Here is a first for the ROK Army, participation in one of the biggest Asian military exercises held every year in Thailand, Cobra Gold:

More than 800 U.S., Thai and South Korean marines stormed a beach Thursday with Seoul joining the annual war games for the first time.

The three-week Cobra Gold exercise sends a message that the United States will have a continued presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and the military is one aspect of that presence, said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Nixon, Commander of the U.S. Army, Pacific.

The core exercise, being held for the 29th time, will focus on peacekeeping operations and humanitarian and disaster responses.

Nixon said South Korea’s participation was exciting. “South Korea is a leader in the Asia-Pacific region, and this just underscores their importance in the peace and stability within the region,” he said.

Singapore, Japan and Indonesia also are participating in the war games involving 11,500 military personnel.  [Washington Post]