South Korean navy holds 1st drill of year amid tension in region

ANKARA (AA) – The South Korean navy held its first live fire drill of the year amid ongoing tension on the Korean Peninsula, local media said on Thursday.

The navy conducted its drills on Wednesday in waters off the country's eastern, western and southern coasts, involving warships and personnel, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"We will build a firm readiness posture, with which we can sternly punish any enemy provocations," the agency quoted Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lee Jong-ho as saying.

The navy mobilized 13 vessels, including the 3,200-ton Eulji Mundeok destroyer, and four aircraft and conducted live-fire and tactical maneuver training in waters west of Taean County, 109 kilometers (68 miles) southwest of the capital Seoul.

Last week, drones from North Korea crossed the border into the South prompting Seoul to scramble jets and fire warning shots in response.

Two major airports were shut down by South Korea as the drones crossed the Military Demarcation Line, which separates the two Koreas, and were spotted flying in areas in Gimpo, Ganghwa Island, and Paju.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have risen again with North Korea launching dozens of missiles last year in a series of weapons tests, including intercontinental ballistic missiles.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid