ISTANBUL

South Korean Marine Corps on Wednesday conducted live drills on two islands near inter-Korean maritime border.

The drills were held on the islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong located near the Northern Limit Line, the de-facto inter-Korean maritime boundary, Yonhap News reported.

An army spokesman said that the South Korean military will continue to enhance the western border island units' military readiness through regular maritime exercises.

He said the drills were conducted in the presence of international observers, in accordance with the armistice agreement of the 1950-53 Korean War, and were defensive in nature.

North Korea vowed Tuesday to bolster its nuclear force, criticizing a statement from the US, South Korea and Japan in which they reaffirmed their commitment to the “complete denuclearization” of the country as outlined by UN Security Council resolutions.

North Korea does not recognize the Northern Limit Line and demands that it be moved further south.

Separately, a court in South Korea on Wednesday handed suspended prison sentences to four former officials from the administration of former President Moon Jae-in for their involvement in the forced repatriation of two North Korean fishermen in 2019.