ROK evacuates border island residents amid DPRK live-fire drill

The Republic of Korea (ROK) has evacuated border island residents amid the live-fire drill of the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Yonhap news agency reported on Monday.

The DPRK declared a no-navigation zone in waters near the western maritime border earlier in the day, banning ships from sailing near the Northern Limit Line, or the disputed sea border.

The DPRK warning was seen as a hint that it will conduct firing exercises with rocket-propelled artillery guns near the tense maritime border.

The DPRK has recently moved troops and artillery weapons near Pyongyang, in a move believed to be preparation for a large-scale fire power drill, a military source said Monday.