SEOUL - Top military officers from Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States announced Wednesday their plan to continue joint military exercises.

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The allies have agreed to refine plans for "potential local provocations by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)" and continue joint drills aimed at "deterring further aggression," Gen Han Min-koo, chairman of the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), and his US counterpart Adm. Mike Mullen said in a joint press conference.

The drills "sent a strong signal of our intent to deter future acts of aggression. We must do more ... together," Mullen said.

ROK and the United States staged drills last week off the west coast of the peninsula after exchanged fires between South Korea and the DPRK on Nov 23.