(LEAD) S. Korea's military holds precision-strike drills

(ATTN: UPDATES with commander's comments in 5th para; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- In yet another show of force against North Korea, South Korea's Navy and Air Force conducted joint live-fire drills in the East Sea on Thursday, officials said.

The exercise involved the 3,200-ton Yang Manchun destroyer, the 2,500-ton Chungbuk frigate, 13 other warships, the P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft and Lynx multi-role planes, as well as FA-5, F-4E and KF-16 tactical fighter jets.

They launched various types of guided missiles, including the Harpoon, Haeseong-I and AGM-65 Maverick, against an enemy's simulated maritime attack, according to the officials.

It came two days after the North fired a missile with intercontinental range.

"Our military is fully ready for an immediate response even in the event of combat today," said Rear Adm. Kwon Jeong-seop, commander of the Navy's Maritime Battle Group 1.

On Wednesday, South Korea test-launched a Hyunmoo-2A ballistic missile into the East Sea in a combined missile training with the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) aimed at demonstrating the alliance capability to counter the North's threats. The USFK mobilized the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile (ATACMS).

lcd@yna.co.kr
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