S. Korea to reinforce size of marines

South Korea's military is seeking to increase the size of its marines by up to 2,000 soldiers, as part of efforts to enhance defense capability for five islands near the disputed western maritime border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), local media reported Tuesday, citing government sources.

The Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) are planning to raise the number of marines by 1,200 to 2, 000, the Yonhap News Agency in Seoul reported, citing government sources.

If finalized, the move will increase the size of the Marine Corps to some 29,000 from the current 27,000. Newly added troops will be assigned the task of defending the five islands off the country's west coast.

South Korea has bolstered forces and military arsenal off the west coast since one of its frontline islands was shelled by the DPRK last November, in which two marines and two civilians were killed.

The military is also reviewing restructuring the size of its army. The defense ministry and the JCS intend to report its plans to further bolster defense capability for the five islands off the country's west coast to the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae this month, local media reported, citing government sources.