On the New Year's Day the puppet defense minister of south Korea stressed the need for the south Korean army "not to waver but to watch the enemy only," vociferating about the "north's provocative threat."

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff examined the combat readiness of soldiers, flying an AWAC over the five islands in the biggest hotspot in the West Sea of Korea, the Thaean peninsula and the East Sea of Korea.

Meanwhile, the south Korean army corps conducted live-shell firing in six areas.

The chief of air staff conducted commanding flight on a fighter on Jan. 2 in the air above the East Sea to let fighters make sorties for tactical interception duty.

Warships of the puppet Navy were busy with naval maneuvers including live-shell firing drill in the seas. While commanding the maneuvers, the chief of naval staff cried out for "watching the frontline only."