The US and Japan continue, one of their biggest military exercises ever. The drills are part of the annual "Keen Sword" maneuvres and come just after the US and South Korea concluded theirs, in the Yellow Sea.

The drills involve more than 44 thousand troops, hundreds of aircraft and a US supercarrier. For the first time, South Korean observers are invited. The show of force, began on Friday, following a deadly DPRK attack on a South Korean island.

The November 23rd attack, killed two South Korean marines, and two civilians, heightening tensions in the region and fears of an even bigger clash. The maneuvres are to continue through to Friday.