S. Korea Begins Anti-Sub Exercises Near Border

South Korea on Aug. 5 launched its largest-ever anti-submarine exercise near the disputed sea border with North Korea, the defense ministry said, despite the North's threats of retaliation.

The South has warned the North it will not tolerate provocations during the five-day naval drill in the Yellow Sea.

The exercise is designed as a warning to the North following accusations it used a torpedo in March to stink a South Korean warship. Forty-six sailors died in the Cheonan tragedy.

Military officials say 29 ships, including a submarine and destroyer, 50 fixed-wing aircraft and 4,500 army, navy, air force, marine and coast guard personnel are taking part.

A ministry spokesman told AFP that underwater firing drills would take place close to Baengnyeong, the nearest island to the disputed maritime border with the North. Cheonan went down just to the southwest of the island.