The Global Times, a sister paper of China's People's Daily, reported that North Korea conducted civil air defense drills six times for three straight days from last Tuesday when South Korean President Kim Dae-jung visited the United States.

The North had conducted similar drills in March and November every year in the past, but did not conduct them last year apparently due to the easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula amid inter-Korean dialogue.

The drills are believed to be a strong signal from the North to South Korea and the United States about their future relations and an effort to strengthen unity at home.