The US and South Korea are continuing their large-scale naval exercise in waters off the east coast of the Korean peninsula. Many have voiced concern that the drill will further complicate the region's security situation.

Tuesday's agenda focuses on anti-submarine exercises aimed at detecting and defeating submarines intruding into the seas east of the peninsula. The exercise consists of simulated attacks on enemy submarines and live-fire drills by a squadron of fighter jets including the F-15k and F-16. The two countries will fire naval guns and artillery at an abandoned submarine disguised as an enemy ship. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Tuesday declared that it does not fear "military threats" and "warnings" by the U.S. and South Korea. Pyongyang also says it will further bolster its nuclear deterrence to cope with increasing threats from the U.S.

Kim Young-Chun, Chief of General Staff of Korean People's Army, said, "Should the US imperialists and Lee Myung-Bak and his group of traitors finally ignite a new war of aggression on the peninsula despite the repeated warnings of the DPRK, it will mobilize its tremendous military potential, including its nuclear deterrence, for self-defense, and thus wipe out the aggressors and blow up all their strongholds."

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