S. Korea, US practice occupying, stabilising N. Korea

SEOUL (AFP) - South Korean troops practiced a war scenario involving the occupation and stabilisation of North Korea during a joint military drill with the United States (US) last month, a report said on Tuesday.

The two allies, who staged a similar stabilisation exercise in 2010, upgraded it to strengthen the role of the South Korean army in the event of an "emergency situation in the North", Dong-A Ilbo newspaper said.

It cited an unnamed senior government official, who said the manoeuvre - called Wind of Freedom - involved humanitarian assistance for North Koreans after occupying the communist state and restoring administrative services.

The exercise was part of the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian drill held from August 20-31 and involving tens of thousands of South Korean and US troops.