South Korea stages firing exercises in western islands near DPRK

South Korea's military on Monday staged its maritime firing exercises in northwestern islands near the sea boundary with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Yonhap news agency reported citing a military official.

The official was quoted as saying that the military began the live-fire exercises from 4 p.m. local time (0700GMT) with its K-9 self-propelled artilleries in islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong.

Whether the firing drill is finished has yet to be confirmed.

The South Korean artilleries faced south for the firing exercises, with only K-9 self-propelled guns mobilized.

The military originally planned to mobilize Spike missiles and 130-mm multiple rocket launchers for the firing drill, but the worsening weather conditions from a heavy sea fog led to the reduced mobilization.

Sources: XINHUA