Operation Keen Sword under way as Seoul warns provocation by North Korea will be met with force
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| Photo: David A Cox/AFP/Getty Images |
Justin McCurry
Guardian
Japan and the US began their biggest-ever joint military exercise today, as South Korea warned it would carry out air strikes against North Korea if the regime repeated its attack on Yeonpyeong.
Kim Kwan-jin, expected to be named Seoul’s new defence minister at the weekend, said any provocation from the North would be met with immediate retaliation. “In case the enemy attacks our territory and people again, we will thoroughly retaliate to ensure that the enemy cannot provoke again,” he said.
In a move that may ease tensions, the South’s defence ministry said live-fire drills due to take place near the island, which lies south of the countries’ maritime border in the Yellow Sea, would be postponed until Kim takes office.
Yonhap news agency quoted a senior ministry official as saying the drills could be held “by the end of this year at the latest”.
Codenamed Keen Sword, the operation between Japan and the US involves 60 ships, 500 aircraft and 44,000 troops. The drills, taking place in southern Japanese waters, are being held to mark the 50th anniversary of the countries’ security alliance, but they also seen as demonstration of Washington’s commitment to its ally and its ability to project military force in the region.
The eight days of manoeuvres began as the UN voiced “great concern” about North Korea’s uranium enrichment programme, and warned that the regime may be hiding more nuclear facilities.
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