This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-17093118
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
S Korea holds military drills despite North's threats | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
South Korea has held live fire military drills from islands near disputed sea borders with the North despite threats of attack. | |
The drills, which North Korea has called "premeditated military provocation", lasted two hours. | |
There was no reported action from Pyongyang, which warned on Sunday that it will retaliate for any attacks. | |
The drills took place in an area where four South Koreans were killed in 2010 in a North Korean artillery attack. | |
A North Korean military officer told the Associated Press on Sunday that North Koreans will "dedicate their blood to defend their inviolable territory". | A North Korean military officer told the Associated Press on Sunday that North Koreans will "dedicate their blood to defend their inviolable territory". |
Residents on the islands were earlier asked to go to underground shelters before the drills began, an officer at Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff told AP. | |
The peninsula has remained in a technical state of war since 1953 when the Korean conflict ended in a truce. Tensions remained high following the death of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il two months ago. | The peninsula has remained in a technical state of war since 1953 when the Korean conflict ended in a truce. Tensions remained high following the death of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il two months ago. |
Mr Kim was succeeded by his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, and political observers are closely watching indications of how cross border relationships may change or develop. | Mr Kim was succeeded by his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, and political observers are closely watching indications of how cross border relationships may change or develop. |
US and North Korean officials are due to meet in Beijing later this week to discuss Pyongyang's controversial nuclear programme. | |
The talks, aimed at restarting negotiations over disarmament, will be the first since the death of Mr Kim in December 2011. |