South Korea and the United States have launched naval exercises to counter the DPRK

Joint naval exercises of South Korea and the United States started on Monday in the Sea of Japan, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the country's Navy.

"These exercises demonstrate the ability to effectively deter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, as well as the ability to respond to them. They will further strengthen the united defensive position," the agency quotes a statement by South Korean Admiral Kim In-ho.

The report says that nine ships and two patrol aircraft from both sides are taking part in the three-day anti-submarine warfare exercises with live firing, including two South Korean submarines and the destroyer Yulgok Yi I, the American destroyer Shoup, equipped with the Aegis missile defense system, and the cruiser Robert Smalls.

Yonhap recalls that the DPRK recently launched a new tactical nuclear submarine, which, as reported, "will perform a combat mission as one of the main underwater offensive means of the naval forces". North Korea.