South Korea to hold drills amid tensions

In recent months, the US 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/156123.html


South Korea resists pressure from Russia and China to cancel live-fire exercises amid warnings from North Korea over the upcoming war games in the Korean Peninsula.

"We have no plan to cancel our exercises," a South Korean defense ministry spokesman said on Sunday, adding that the one-day drills may take place on Monday or Tuesday.

The North has warned the South that Seoul will face disaster if it goes ahead with the live-fire exercises on Yeonpyeong Island near the disputed Yellow Sea border.

The upcoming exercise "would make it impossible to prevent the situation on the Korean Peninsula from exploding and escape its ensuing disaster," Pyongyang said in a statement.

It said its military has already threatened "decisive and merciless punishment" for such an action and "does not make an empty talk."

The foreign ministers of China and Russia on Saturday called for restraint on the Korean Peninsula as the UN Security Council (UNSC) prepares for an emergency meeting over the tensions between the two Koreas.

"China firmly opposes any actions to cause tension and worsen the situation, and demands both sides on the peninsula show calmness and restraint," said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

The Koreas must "carry out dialogue and contact, and completely avoid any actions that would fuel the tension," Yang said.

The UNSC called a meeting for Sunday at Russia's request, following Seoul's Thursday announcement to launch the live-fire artillery exercises.

Meanwhile, the US urged top North Korean leaders in Pyongyang to show "maximum restraint" over the South's planned live-fire drills.

US President Barack Obama has already vowed to offer what he described as 'unshakeable support' for Seoul.

In recent months, the US 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 have 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.