In a show of military might, the RoK will hold a major land drill in the Pocheon region, between Seoul and the heavily armed demilitarised zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. It will also continue naval live-fire exercises 100 km (60 miles) south of the maritime border with the DPRK.

The drill, involving a larger scale of firepower and personnel than usual for such an exercise at an army training ground, is an indication that conservative President Lee Myung-bak wants to underscore his renewed determination to stand tough against the North.

A large contingent of mechanized units operating tanks, three dozen self-propelled artillery, fighter jets and multiple rocket launchers, were set to stage the live-fire drill starting at 0500 GMT just miles from the border with the DPRK.

The DPRK’s reaction was relatively calm in comparison with its threats of a retaliatory strike made as recently as last week ahead of Monday's live-firing drill on Yeonpyeong, in disputed waters off the west coast of the peninsula.