S. Korea to participate in US-led cyber exercise this week

Seoul's defence ministry has said that South Korea's Cyber Operations Command will participate in a US-led multinational cyber exercise this week.

The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen capabilities to counter malicious cyber activities amid growing security threats from North Korea, Yonhap news agency reports citing the defence ministry.

Nine personnel from the South's military will join the Cyber Flag exercise to be held from May 5 through May 11 (local time) in the US state of Virginia.

The online exercise is designed to hone skills for multinational cooperation in countering cyberthreats and share intelligence against enemies' cyber activities.

Since 2011, the US Cyber Command has conducted the cyber exercise annually to enhance the readiness of Washington, its allies and partner countries against security threats in the online domain.

This year's exercise involves 18 nations, including the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance, which consists of the US, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and other partner countries.

It will mark South Korea's third participation in the exercise since the nation first joined it in 2022.