SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- South Korean and U.S. forces will stage annual joint exercises next month aimed at enhancing defense readiness, the command of the combined forces said here Friday.

       The allies plan to conduct a command post exercise Key Resolve between Feb. 27-March 9, bringing together 200,000 South Korean forces and 2,100 U.S. troops for drills based on various scenarios of assumed threats to the defense of South Korea.

       The forces will also hold a field training exercise Foal Eagle between March 1-April 30 involving South Korean personnel and 11, 000 U.S. troops engaged in ground, air, naval and other operations, according to the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).

       The exercises are "routine and defense-oriented" and "not connected to any current world events," the CFC said, adding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s military has been informed of the scheduled drills and their "non-provocative nature. "

       The DPRK has repeatedly slammed the allies for joint exercises, which they consider preparations for a northward invasion.

       South Korea and the DPRK remain technically at war with each other after the 1950-53 Korean War ended with a truce, not a peace treaty.