The United States has said it expects to hold previously announced military exercises with the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the Yellow Sea off the western coast of the Korean Peninsula in July.

The joint drill was announced just after the sinking of an ROK warship, Cheonan, on March 26 that an international investigation has blamed on a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) torpedo. The DPRK has denied any involvement.

Media reports say the US is considering sending an aircraft carrier to join the exercises, which originally was scheduled for this month. Irrespective of the intentions of the US and the ROK, the joint drill will add to the prevailing tension in the region.