South Korea's Ministry of National Defense is still reviewing when to begin bi-annual maritime drills for the defense of Dokdo, the nation's easternmost island.
At a press briefing Monday, the ministry's spokesperson also said the size of this year's exercises is also being discussed.
Held in June and December last year, this year's drills were originally set for June.
However, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported earlier that the government delayed the exercises in a bid to improve its frosty relations with Japan.
Last year, South Korea's Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the Coast Guard took part in the drills.