South Korea wraps up its two-day maritime drill to defend the country's easternmost islets of Dokdo later today.<br />And as soon as these drills are over, the government plans to review the time and scale of their *second round of drills to be held later this year.<br />Oh Jung-hee starts us off.<br />South Korean's twice yearly maritime drill to defend the country's easternmost islets of Dokdo ends on Monday.<br />The drill, which involves the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, started on Sunday only four days after Seoul decided to pull out of its bilateral intel-sharing pact with Japan.<br />The size of the armed forces is double that of previous drills.<br />10 warplanes and 10 warships have been deployed, one of which is Seoul's first Aegis-equipped destroyer, Sejong the Great, included in the drill for the first time.<br />As soon as the exercise wraps up Monday afternoon, the government is to review the time and scale of their second drill of this year.<br />The drills usually take place in June and December every year, but the first drill was delayed until now due to concerns that it could worsen Seoul's relationship with Tokyo.<br />Some say the next drill could be held earlier than usual as Japan could voice its claims over Dokdo.<br />The drills, which were usually named 'Dokdo defense drill', were named 'East Sea territory defense exercise' this year.<br />The name change is to show that Seoul is keeping China and Russia in check as well.<br />Last month, a Russian airplane intruded into South Korean airspace over Dokdo twice... and two Chinese and Russian aircraft entered South Korea's air defense identification zone.<br />The name 'East Sea territory defense exercise' reflects the military's determination to defend the country's territories in the East Sea and is likely to be used for the time being.<br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.<br />
