Korean war drills ahead

SEOUL: South Korea has announced a series of heavy-weaponry, live-fire military drills with the US in response to a recent landmine attack blamed on North Korea.

Exercises involving tanks, artillery, attack helicopters and fighter bombers will be held in coming weeks in an area 30km south of the North Korean border, Defence said.

“This will show our preparedness to retaliate against any provocative acts,” a spokesman said. South Korea said the North would pay a “harsh price” for the mine blasts that maimed two of its soldiers on patrol last week.