South Korea’s Marine Corps will take part for the first time in the annual Super Garuda Shield multinational exercise in Indonesia, local media reported Tuesday. The drill, jointly led by the United States and Indonesia, will begin on Saturday and continue until Sept. 7, bringing together about 5,000 personnel from 14 countries. South Korea will contribute around 20 Marines to the exercise, which has grown since its launch in 2007 as a bilateral U.S.-Indonesia training program designed to enhance jungle warfare capabilities and strengthen regional defense cooperation.

Initially launched as a limited bilateral drill, the Super Garuda Shield has expanded significantly over the years, evolving into one of Southeast Asia’s largest military exercises. This year’s participation includes not only traditional allies but also new partners, highlighting the region’s increasing emphasis on multilateral defense collaboration. The exercise will take place in Jakarta and other strategic locations across Indonesia, featuring combined training scenarios, interoperability drills, and joint operations focused on jungle warfare and humanitarian assistance.

South Korea’s participation reflects Seoul’s broader efforts to deepen security ties in the Asia-Pacific region. By contributing Marines to the exercise, South Korea signals its intent to engage more actively in regional defense initiatives and build operational familiarity with regional partners. The move also comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring the importance of strengthening collective readiness and military cooperation among U.S. allies and partners.