SKorea begins naval drills despite NKorean warning

AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/4/10 | Kwang-Tae Kim - ap

[NormsRevenge]

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea began naval drills off its west coast Thursday to strengthen its ability to counter any North Korean provocations despite Pyongyang's latest threat to retaliate against Seoul over its war games.

The drills, which follow joint military exercises with the U.S. last month off the east coast, are set to run through Monday and will include exercises in areas near the disputed western sea border with North Korea. They involve about 4,500 South Korean troops, more than 20 ships and submarines, and about 50 aircraft, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Both sets of maneuvers came in response to the deadly March sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on North Korea. Forty-six South Korean sailors were killed. The U.S. and South Korea said the drills were to warn the North that further provocations will not be tolerated.

[NormsRevenge]

South Korea warned North Korea Wednesday it would not tolerate provocations during an upcoming naval exercise in the Yellow Sea, after Pyongyang threatened "strong physical retaliation" for the drill. (AFP/Graphic)

[oyez]

I have a really important diplomatic statement for North Korea.

Its three words: Deal with it.