Tensions rose this past week over Sourh Korea's decision to conduct military drills. The drills went ahead on Thursday, August 4. Nearly 4 and a half thousand South Korean troops participated.

South Korean sailors perform drills as part of controversial military exercises near a tense maritime border with the North.

About 4,500 South Korean troops are taking part in anti-submarine training over five days.

The drills take place near the site where a North Korean submarine is suspected of torpedoing a Southern ship, killing 46 sailors.

South Korean surface ships, submarines, and fighter jets are all involved.

[Lee Seong-Joon, South Korean Rear Admiral]:
"This exercise is conducted as if it is a real war so that we can annihilate the enemy's will of provocation and strengthen our military readiness in the western sea. Our navy is armed with strong spirit and perfect military readiness, so we will immediately destroy the enemy's provocations, if there are any."

Pyongyang has warned of a "sacred war" against Seoul and the United States in reponse to recent military exercises.

Some of the latest threats came from the North's state-run TV.

[KRT News Reader]:
"Our army and people are closely watching the every move of the Lee Myung-bak group of traitors. And if the puppet warmongers dare ignite a war, we will mercilessly destroy the provokers and their stronghold by mobilizing most powerful war tactics and offensive means beyond imagination."

In Seoul, pro-North Korea protesters criticized the South's drills, warning they could spark a renewed conflict given recent tensions.

The North and South are technically still at war since the Korean War ended in 1953 without a peace treaty.