South Korea escalating weapons buildup near North Korea maritime border

June 27 (UPI) -- South Korea has either deployed or is in the process of deploying a range of weapon systems in the Yellow Sea, near the North Korea maritime border.

On the 15th anniversary of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, a confrontation at sea between North Korean and South Korean patrol boats, Seoul's military may have already forward deployed advanced weapons, including a Multiple Launch Rocket System, Yonhap reported Tuesday.

South Korean forces located in the northwest islands are the first line of defense in the event of a North Korea attack at sea. Troops at the maritime border work in coordination with the United States Marine Corps' Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Companies stationed in Japan.

In additions to the MLRS, South Korea has either deployed or is to soon deploy the Cheonmu, a midrange surface-to-air guided missile, and the Cheonma, a short-range surface-to-air missile.

The 70-millimeter guided missile Bigung has already been deployed to guard against North Korean boats.

Pyongyang is believed to have completed construction of a military base for hovercraft about 30 miles from South Korea's Baekryeong Islands.

South Korean marines have placed the anti-personnel missile Spike in the northwest islands, to strike back at potential massed artillery fire from the North Korea side, according to the report.

A total of 5,000 South Korean troops are stationed on the islands.