South Korea to hold new live-fire drill

In recent months, the United States and South Korea have conducted several massive joint sea and air drills in waters east of the Korean Peninsula

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156576.html


South Korea has announced that it is to hold a new live-fire drill near border with North Korea, further intensifying the impasse in the Korean Peninsula.

The drill, involving fighter jets and tanks, will be held on Thursday, only three days after South Korea carried out a one-day live-fire drill in the Yellow Sea despite threats of retaliation and stronger strikes from North Korea, AFP reported Wednesday.

Thursday's ground and air firing exercise would also involve self-propelled guns and 800 soldiers, South korea's military said.

According to an army spokesman, the drill at Pocheon, 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the border, would be the biggest of its kind to be held at the range.

The spokesperson further pointed out that similar drills had been held at Pocheon many times before.

The drill at the Pocheon range would "demonstrate our solid military preparedness,” First Armoured Battalion commander Choo Eun-Sik said.

"We will retaliate thoroughly if the North commits another provocative act like the shelling of Yeonpyeong," he added.

In recent months, the United States and South Korea have conducted several massive joint sea and air drills in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

The North has called the drills provocative and an effort to trigger a war, warning the South against holding more joint military exercises with Washington.

Tensions erupted between the two Koreas after last month's deadly clash between South and North Korean forces along their disputed sea borders.

The fighting left four South Koreans, including two civilians, dead. Each side blames the other for initiating the fighting.