SKorea’s war games held to defend self against Japan

SOUTH Korea Sunday began two days of war games to practise defending disputed islands off its east coast against an unlikely attack from Japan, further stoking tensions between the Asian neighbours.

The annual drills come just days after Seoul terminated a military intelligence-sharing pact with Tokyo, with the countries at loggerheads over Japan’s use of forced labour during World War II.

The two-day exercise will involve warships and aircraft, the South Korean navy said in a text message without providing more detail.

The drill -- re-named “East Sea territory defence training” -- will solidify the military’s resolve to defend the Dokdo islands and the area surrounding the Sea of Japan, the navy said.