A large-scale military drill is likely to be held this month in North Korea, Seoul's defense ministry said this week. Kim Min-seok, a ministry spokesman, said the expectation was based on observation of recent exercises conducted by Pyongyang.

North Korea planning large military drill

Kim said that unusual levels of participation by the North's artillery, special forces and air force were seen over the winter months. He added that the North has "tended to provoke" South Korea whenever there was a change of political power in Seoul.

Joint maneuvers between South Korea and the United States begin Friday and will run through April 30. While Seoul and Washington said the exercise is strictly defensive, Pyongyang claims the maneuvers are intended to attack the North.