The Republic of Korea and US forces will conduct annual military exercises from Feb. 28 to March 10, said the Combined Forces Command (CFC) on Feb. 15.

The "Key Resolve and Foal Eagle" manoeuvre aimed to enhance defence efficiency against any potential contingency that could arise on the Korean peninsula, the CFC said.

The drills will also involve field training exercises focusing on ground manoeuvres, air, naval, expeditionary and special operation forces. Some 12,800 US troops and 200,000 RoK troops will take part in the drills, along with a US aircraft carrier, according to Yonhap news, RoK.

The CFC said it had informed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of the upcoming drills, which are entirely defensive in nature.

The DPRK has repeatedly condemned the annual military manoeuvre as preparation for war./.