The South Korean military have conducted a series of operations, alongside US forces, to ensure their readiness in the event of an attack by the North.

Drills are regularly held in both countries, which are technically still at war after their 1953 truce, and whose forces regularly scuffle.

In one drill, filmed by the South's defence ministry, members of an emergency air force standby unit were called up; They could be seen rushing to the aircraft hangars, loading missiles, taking off and then bombing a remote island.

"We, the Joint Chiefs of Staff checked out our military's capability and defence posture today. They are ready to immediately retaliate against the enemy's front-line, and also attack the core forces who gave orders for the attack," said Major General Lee Young-joo of the South Korean Marine Corps after the drill.

The latest round of drills come amid announcements from the North that its artillery was targeting media outlets in the South which it accused of hurling unbearable insults at the country's new leader, Kim Jong-un.

North Korea has made similar threats in the past, but this was the first time it had listed the coordinates of some of the targets.