Trilateral sea drill staged amid tensions

Naval forces of the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan kicked off a joint drill in waters off the ROK's southern island of Jeju on Thursday, following tensions over Pyongyang's controversial satellite launch in April.

The two-day drill, involving training in search and rescue operations and maritime interdiction operations, will mobilize destroyers, logistics support ships and antisubmarine helicopters, the ROK defense ministry said last week.

Saying the drill was of "a humanitarian nature", the ministry said it was a routine exercise begun by the three nations in 2008. It also said that no live-fire exercises were planned.