US, S.Korea open joint military drill to media

US and South Korean forces have allowed media access to their joint military drill as tension is running high with North Korea.

The troops showed reporters an exercise in Pohang in the southeastern part of South Korea on Monday.

About 2,000 personnel unloaded military supplies from ships anchored off the coast for combat troops on the ground. The exercise is based on the scenario that enemy attacks destroy ports.

A US military official told reporters that the exercise is aimed at boosting the bilateral alliance.

The 2 countries are to continue their annual Foal Eagle joint drill until the end of April.

North Korea said last Thursday it would agree to dialogue with the US and South Korea if the countries suspended the drill.

The 2 nations opened the exercise to the media apparently to show their resolve that they will not tolerate North Korea's provocative words and actions.

Also on Monday, a South Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson said North Korea apparently has not removed its mid-range ballistic missiles deployed on the Sea of Japan coast.

NHK