N. Korea holds its own military drills

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PYONGYANG, North Korea, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- North Korea has stepped up its air force training flights and other military exercises in response to South Korea's live-fire drills, military officials say.

The number of air force drills is up 150 percent this month compared to the number in December 2009, the Korea Joong Ang Daily reported. One source told the newspaper there has been at least one crash of a MiG fighter jet.

"It shows that the North Korean military has been very tense after the attack on Yeonpyeong Island," a South Korean military source said.

The exercises included a simulated attack on the south, the report said.

Tensions between the two countries have increased this year. The sinking of a South Korean naval vessel in March has been blamed on North Korea, and four people were killed in November when the north shelled Yeonpyeong Island.

North Korea held live-fire exercises last week while the south was conducting them. The artillery included guns like those used to shell Yeonpyeong and long-range artillery that could hit Seoul, the newspaper said.