South Korea mounts huge show of force

South Korea mobilised troops, tanks, helicopters and fighter jets today for its largest winter military drills in a show of force a month after North Korea’s deadly shelling of a front-line island.

The drills, which begin at training grounds in mountainous Pocheon near the Koreas’ heavily-fortified border, signalled South Korea’s determination to demonstrate and hone its military strength at the risk of further escalation with North Korea.