S. Korea, U.S. plan more joint drills

SEOUL, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- South Korea and the United States, ending naval drills in the Yellow Sea Wednesday, said they plan more joint drills to deter provocations by North Korea.

The four days of high-profile military exercises -- which include a nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier, 7,300 personnel and 10 ships from the allies -- began just days after North Korea shelled South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island, killing two civilians and two marines.

Col. Kim Young-cheol, in charge of maritime warfare operations for the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said South Korea has consulted the United States about carrying out "several rounds" of joint military exercises to deal with "limited provocations by the enemy," South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

"The timing and participating military assets have not been decided yet," Kim said, noting that the first drill could be conducted in the beginning of December.

Kim said this week's joint drills succeeded in warning North Korea, Yonhap reported.

"These exercises are meaningful as they demonstrate a firm commitment of South Korea-U.S. alliance that the allies will sternly respond to any North Korean provocation," Kim said.