This photo shows the ROKS Jeonbuk frigate, provided by the Navy, May 13, 2024. Yonhap

The Navy said Tuesday it conducted maritime drills aimed at curbing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation in connection to an ongoing major South Korea-U.S. military exercise.

The WMD interdiction exercise took place in waters off the southwestern island of Gageodo, mobilizing three warships, including the ROKS Jeonbuk frigate, along with Navy special forces and a coast guard vessel, a day after the allies launched the annual Freedom Shield exercise.

The maritime drills focused on detecting and seizing a vessel suspected of carrying cargo linked to WMD proliferation, with special forces boarding the ship by fast-roping from a UH-60 helicopter, according to the Navy.

South Korea's military has sought to bolster its capabilities against WMD threats amid North Korea's continued push to advance its nuclear and missile programs.

Separately, the Navy's Second Fleet, responsible for defending the western coast and the West Sea, staged defense drills Tuesday for the western port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin.

The drills involved Army troops, police and coast guard personnel to train on response procedures for aerial, chemical, biological and radiological threats against the port's international terminal, according to the Navy.

South Korea's military plans to stage a series of on-field drills during Freedom Shield, which runs until March 20. (Yonhap)