Rounds of machine gun fire fill the air as South Korea flexes its military muscle. The nation held a large scale drill Thursday in the region between Seoul and the demilitarized zone that separates it from North Korea. Tanks, fighter jets, helicopters and rocket launchers engaged in the exercise, following the North's shelling of Yeonpyeong island last month.
"This is a combined training of our army and air force against the enemies’ provocations until we can make the enemy powerless and drive them back."
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has replaced top defense officials and ordered naval and army drills to counter criticism of the South perceived weakness. In response, North Korea's armed forces minister threatened a holy war.
"To counter the enemies’ intentional drive to push the situation to the brink of war, our revolutionary forces are making preparations to begin a holy war at any moment necessary, based on the nuclear deterrent."
Tension continues to run high as the countries trade threats, but analysts say the North is unlikely, at least for now, to launch another attack.
Linsay Parriadie, Reuters.
