South Korea started five-day military exercises near the disputed maritime border with North Korea on Thursday, according to Yonhap news agency.
About 4,500 troops from the army, navy, air force, and marines were mobilized for the largest anti-submarine drills near the place where South Korean warship, the Cheonan, sank killing 46 sailors on March 26.
A South Korean-led investigation team consisting of international experts concluded in May that the warship was shot by a North Korean torpedo fired from a submarine.
North Korea has denied its role in the attack, labeling the accusations as a “sheer fabrication,” and promised retaliation against Seoul’s naval exercises, the second in the last two weeks.
At the end of July, South Korea conducted a joint military exercises with the United States to display its strength and deter North Korea from further attacks.
China and Russia also dispute the results of the South Korean Investigation and China has expressed discomfort with the military drills, announcing that it will also launch its own defensive naval training near the area.
About 4,500 troops from the army, navy, air force, and marines were mobilized for the largest anti-submarine drills near the place where South Korean warship, the Cheonan, sank killing 46 sailors on March 26.
A South Korean-led investigation team consisting of international experts concluded in May that the warship was shot by a North Korean torpedo fired from a submarine.
North Korea has denied its role in the attack, labeling the accusations as a “sheer fabrication,” and promised retaliation against Seoul’s naval exercises, the second in the last two weeks.
At the end of July, South Korea conducted a joint military exercises with the United States to display its strength and deter North Korea from further attacks.
China and Russia also dispute the results of the South Korean Investigation and China has expressed discomfort with the military drills, announcing that it will also launch its own defensive naval training near the area.
