Latest drill ratchets up tension in the ROK

DPRK exercise near shelled island sees locals scramble for shelters

SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) staged an artillery drill on Friday within earshot of a Republic of Korea (ROK) island shelled earlier this week, and warned that an upcoming US-ROK naval exercise heightens the risk of war.

Seoul named a former military chief as its new defense minister to try to restore confidence in the armed forces, after their allegedly feeble response to Tuesday's deadly bombardment of Yeonpyeong island.