S Korea conducts firing drills from border island

South Korea has begun live-fire drills from a front-line island bombed last month by North Korea, in defiance of the North’s threats to attack again.

The Defence Ministry says the drills started Monday, and an Associated Press cameraman heard the booms of artillery explosions Monday afternoon.

South Korean conducted the one-day live-fire drills from this tiny enclave of fishing communities and military bases only about 11 km from North Korean shores.

The island was shelled by the North after similar drills last month. Two marines and two civilians were killed.

The North considers the waters around Yeonpyeong its own territory and has threatened to retaliate for any new drills.