S. Korea, US, Japan hold anti-missile drill

TOKYO, Dec 11 (KUNA) -- South Korea said Monday it has started a joint missile tracking exercise with the US and Japan amid speculation that North Korea may soon test a submarine-launched ballistic missile, according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.
The two-day drill is taking place in waters near the Korean Peninsula and Japan, the first trilateral military operation since the North's firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile in late November, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
It involves Aegis destroyers from South Korea and the US as well as Japan's Aegis ship. They are conducting a computer-simulated training to detect and track any ballistic missile fired from the North and share related information, the JCS said.
The three-way anti-missile training came amid news reports of the possibility that the North will fire an upgraded submarine-launched ballistic missile in the near future. "(we) are keeping a close eye on North Korea's missile facilities," a South Korean defense official was quoted as saying in Seoul.
"There has been no indication detected of any imminent provocation, but we are fully prepared for a response," he added. (end) mk.mb