South Korea: South Korea and the United States have begun a new round of joint military exercises today, the second round to take place this year. Official say, thousands of soldiers are taking part in computer-aided drills designed to test defence capabilities. South Korea says that North Korea which was angered by the previous drill, was notified well in advance.

The drills come as the North agreed to family reunions and reached a deal with the South on an industrial zone. The drills, known as Ulchi Freedom Guardian, are expected to last for 12 days and mobilises about 50,000 members of the South Korean military and 30,000 US servicemen.