The U.S. and South Korean navies will conduct joint maritime training next week with the participation of the USS Ronald Reagan nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) announced on Friday.

Washington and Seoul will stage a combined Maritime Counter Special Operation Force (MCSOF) exercise, as well as a drill with U.S. Navy carrier strike groups (CSG), in waters off the east and west coast of South Korea.

The South Korean navy said the joint drills would be conducted between October 16 and 20 to “prepare for maritime provocations by North Korea and improve the ability to implement