SEOUL: South Korea's military announced provocative new artillery drills on the frontline island shelled in a deadly North Korean attack, then immediately postponed them.
Similar live-fire manoeuvres by South Korean troops one week earlier triggered the North's bombardment that decimated parts of Yeonpyeong Island, killed four people and drew return fire in a clash that set region on edge.
The new drills originally planned for Tuesday could have had even higher stakes: South Korean and American warships are currently engaged in separate military exercises in waters to the south.
Officials at the joint chiefs of staff told said on Monday that the latest drills were postponed after the marine unit on the island mistakenly announced them without getting final approval from higher military authorities. The cancellation had nothing to do with North Korea, and the drills will take place later, one official said.
Pyongyang had warned last week that it would consider any South Korean drills off Yeonpyeong Island a deliberate provocation and territorial violation, and urged Seoul to call off last week's exercises .
Similar live-fire manoeuvres by South Korean troops one week earlier triggered the North's bombardment that decimated parts of Yeonpyeong Island, killed four people and drew return fire in a clash that set region on edge.
The new drills originally planned for Tuesday could have had even higher stakes: South Korean and American warships are currently engaged in separate military exercises in waters to the south.
Officials at the joint chiefs of staff told said on Monday that the latest drills were postponed after the marine unit on the island mistakenly announced them without getting final approval from higher military authorities. The cancellation had nothing to do with North Korea, and the drills will take place later, one official said.
Pyongyang had warned last week that it would consider any South Korean drills off Yeonpyeong Island a deliberate provocation and territorial violation, and urged Seoul to call off last week's exercises .
The artillery attack that came after South Korea went ahead with its drills killed four and injured 18.
Earlier on Monday, authorities on Yeonpyeong announced new live-fire drills for Tuesday morning, warning residents by loudspeaker to take shelter in underground bunkers well in advance . Another announcement later in the evening said there would be no exercise.
Meanwhile, a US supercarrier and a South Korean destroyer carried out joint military exercises in the waters south of the island.
Earlier on Monday, authorities on Yeonpyeong announced new live-fire drills for Tuesday morning, warning residents by loudspeaker to take shelter in underground bunkers well in advance . Another announcement later in the evening said there would be no exercise.
Meanwhile, a US supercarrier and a South Korean destroyer carried out joint military exercises in the waters south of the island.
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