South Korea refuses to quit live-fire drill

South Korean marines patrol on Yeonpyeong Island.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156272.html


South Korea has refused to back down over a live-fire drill near a disputed sea border island with North Korea despite fears of triggering a war in the region.

Marines will conduct the one-day artillery drills on Yeonpyeong Island later Monday and the exact timing will be determined by weather conditions, an officer at South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

South Korea's military will "immediately and sternly" deal with any possible provocation by North Korea, the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity citing department rules.

Residents, local officials and journalists on the island were ordered to evacuate to underground shelters because of possible attacks by North Korea, he said.

Meanwhile, a number of peace activists in South Korea have taken part in a rally in protest against the planned drills.

They're calling on the military to cancel what they say is a provoking exercise.

The protesters say the military exercise could trigger a clash between the two Koreas.

They're calling on the government to solve its problems with the North through dialog.

The UN Security Council failed Sunday to agree on a statement to address rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.