South Korea starts live-fire drill

South Korean residents take shelter on Yeonpyeong Island near the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea on Monday December 20, 2010

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156270.html


South Korean troops have started a live-fire artillery exercise on a border island, the South Korean Defense Ministry says.

"The drill has started," a ministry spokesman told AFP on Monday.

South Korean Marines began one-day artillery drills on Yeonpyeong Island at 02:30 p.m. (05:30 GMT) on Monday, 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 noted, speaking on condition of anonymity citing department rules.

This comes despite threats by North Korea to hit back and after South Korea refused to back down over a live-fire drill near disputed Yeonpyeong Island.

South Korea launches fighter jets to deter any possible attack by North Korea.

Norht Korea has threatened to retalitate any new drills by the South.

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

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