In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, US Air Force B-1B bombers (center) fly in formation with Republic of Korea's Air Force F-35A fighter jets over the ROK Peninsula during a joint air drill in the ROK on March 19, 2023. The ROK and US forces will hold their largest-ever live-fire exercises in June, the ROK's defense ministry said on March 22, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

SEOUL – The Republic of Korea and US forces will hold their largest-ever live-fire exercises in June, the ROK's defense ministry said on Wednesday.

The exercises are part of a series of events marking the 70th anniversary of the alliance between the two countries this year.

During the live-fire exercises, the combined forces will demonstrate the alliance's formidable firepower and mobility on an unprecedented scale.

Republic of Korea's defense ministry

"We've planned various anniversary programs focusing on realizing 'peace through strength' through action based on our strategic deterrence capabilities and solid combined defense posture," the ministry said in a statement.

"During the live-fire exercises, the combined forces will demonstrate the alliance's formidable firepower and mobility on an unprecedented scale."

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The ROK plans to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of its military in September with a display by the allies' forces of their "overwhelming deterrence and response capabilities" that will include the ROK's missile defense system, the ministry said.

The United States has about 28,500 troops in the ROK.

US and ROK forces have been carrying out various types of military training in recent weeks including air and sea drills involving American B-1B bombers, and their first large-scale amphibious landing exercises in five years.