Special to WorldTribune.com

North Korea has deployed 70 percent of its submarine force and doubled its artillery strength near the South Korean border since Aug. 21, according to Seoul’s defense ministry.

The two Koreas continued talks on Aug. 23 to end tensions that began with North Korea firing a rocket into the South and Seoul retaliating with artillery fire. There was no report of progress in the talks between top advisers of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and South Korean President Park Geun-hye at the border outpost of Panmunjom.

A spokesman for South Korea’s military criticized North Korea’s move to deploy most of its submarines as a “two-faced” effort to increase pressure on Seoul.

South Korean intelligence believes Pyongyang has about 70 Romeo-class submarines that are based on 1950s-era Soviet technology.

North Korea’s nerves were further rattled as South Korea and the United States stage their annual summer military drills with around 80,000 troops. On Aug. 22, South Korea and the U.S. flew fighter jets close to the border in a simulated bombing run.

Observers say South Korean delegates at the Panmunjom talks are attempting to get Pyongyang to acknowledge it is the source of conflict.

North Korea has continued to deny it planted land mines that maimed two South Korean soldiers earlier this month, or firing shells days later that were met with return fire from South Korea. Both sides have since threatened an escalation.

  Kim Jong-Un, N. Korea deploys submarines as U.S., Panmunjom talks, Park Geun-Hye, Romeo-class submarines, S. Korean fighters buzz border, WorldTribune.com