S. Korea to lead maritime drill in Busan

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South Korea will hold a multinational maritime drill next Thursday, involving the US, Japan and Australia.

The South Korean Defense Ministry says the drill aims at intercepting weapons of mass destruction in waters 100 kilometers south of the southern port city of Busan. South Korea will lead the drill, which will be carried out under the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative. The Ministry says the fleets of South Korea, the US and Australia will set off at Busan, and the Japanese fleet will leave from a port in Japan.

South Korea will deploy a 7,600-ton Aegis destroyer, and 3 patrol ships. Japan will dispatch destroyers, helicopters and patrol ship, belonging to its Self-defense Forces. The US will send an escort ship. The South Korean Defense Ministry says the drill targets no specific country.