The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) on Friday said it plans to conduct the joint ROK-U.S. Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) military drills 24 times next year.

The exercises have been on hold since June, following the decision by the allies to suspend joint military drills following the U.S.-DPRK summit in Singapore.

In a written statement submitted to an audit of the National Assembly’s defense committee, the South Korean Marine Corps was quoted by local media as having said it will “activate the joint drills to enhance capabilities for combined operations.”

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said that both sides