South Korea stages first live-fire artillary drill since death of of Kim Jong-il The two-hour firing drills, the first near the disputed Yellow Sea border since Kim's death on December 17, involve K-9 self-propelled guns, Vulcan cannon and other artillery, Yonhap news agency said. The North denied torpedoing the ship but launched its shelling attack later that year. The South has since then reinforced the frontline islands with extra troops, more artillery and attack helicopters. Kim has been succeeded by his youngest son Jong-Un. The regime has taken a hostile tone with the South since the takeover and vowed that policy will not change.