The Defense Ministry says North Korea conducted unusual live-fire drills late Wednesday to show off its ability to carry out attacks at night.
    
Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said in a news briefing Thursday that the nighttime live-fire drills by the North were unprecedented.
 
While urging North Korea to refrain from making threats, Kim stressed that his ministry is closely monitoring the North’s moves and beefing up its military readiness in preparation for additional North Korean provocations.
    
The South Korean military is upgrading its military response position, believing that North Korea will conduct more live-fire drills near Yeonpyeong Island.
 
Wednesday’s drills took place near the South Korean island of Baengnyeong, but Pyongyang had initially notified Seoul of its plan to conduct live-fire drills in two areas.
    
The North fired about 130 rounds between nine and 10:25 Wednesday night near waters two kilometers northeast of the Northern Limit Line (NLL).