A joint drill with U.S. forces off the east coast of South Korea on Tuesday featured naval cannons fired from ships and the dropping of depth charges.
Warships fired weapons and dropped anti-submarine bombs in the Sea of Japan during the third day of the four-day exercise, South Korean Defense officials say. They say the target was an abandoned submarine meant to simulate a submerged North Korean vessel. It is part of the largest show of force in the region jointly by the U.S. and South Korea in a number of years.
Tensions have been on the rise following an incident in the Yellow Sea four months ago when a South Korean warship exploded and sank, killing 46 sailors. South Korea, the United States and other countries which took part in the subsequent investigation concluded the Cheonan warship was hit by a North Korean torpedo. North Korea denies responsibility.
In all, about 20 naval vessels of the two countries are involved in the current war game. Tuesday's live-fire drill took place about 120 kilometers east of the Korean peninsula and well south of North Korea's territorial waters.
VOA News
