Seoul holds military drills amid mounting tension with North

South Korea has launched a live fire military exercise amid rising regional tensions over a recent nuclear test carried out by the North.

“After North Korea’s nuclear test, we have been watching the enemy’s activities closely and maintaining the highest preparation against the enemy’s additional provocation,” South Korean regimental commander, Brigadier General Yeom Won-Gyun, stated on Friday.

“We will completely destroy the supporting and commanding forces as well as those at the origin of enemy fire, with our overwhelming fire power,” he added.

On February 12, North Korea announced that it had successfully carried out its third underground nuclear test, which involved a “miniaturized” device and was conducted in a “perfect manner.”

The nuclear test drew immediate condemnation from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon along with several countries including the United States, South Korea, Russia and Japan.

South Korea has put its military on high alert, and has announced it has deployed a new cruise missile capable of hitting targets in North Korea “anywhere, anytime.”

North Korea had carried out two previous nuclear tests on October 9, 2006, and May 25, 2009.