The tension on the Korean Peninsula shows no sign of abating as South Korea and the US kicked off their " Key Resolve" military drill on Monday. The drill has triggered a strong response from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The DPRK cut off a hotline with Seoul Korea and nullified the armistice halting the 1950-53 Korean War. Meanwhile, in South Korea, president Park Geun-hye has also ramped up efforts for cabinet appointments, reiterating her commitment to dealing strongly with any provocation from the north.

As scheduled, South Korea and the United States kicked off their annual joint military exercises on Monday.

Lasting about two weeks, the " Key Resolve" brings together about 10,000 South Korean troops as well as 3,500 US troops.

Escalating its war of words, the DPRK severed a Red Cross hotline with South Korea earlier in the day.

The emergency link was set up to deal with any contingency along the demilitarized zone of Panmunjom, which separates the two sides.

Kim Min-Seok, Spokesman of South Korean Defense Ministry, said, "It's true that North Korea isn't answering the communication hotline that runs through Panmunjom at the moment and North Korea's Chief of General Staff, Hyon Young-chol, visited the Panmunjom and inter-Korean areas. Other than that, there has been no extraordinary movement."

Further adding fuel to the fire, the DPRK has threatened to launch nationwide military exercises.

The DPRK's Rodong Sinmun newspaper has also warned that the time for fighting has come and the DPRK is ready for an all-out war.

Amid the increasing tension, South Korean President Park Geun-hye has also stepped up efforts for the appointment of her cabinet.

On Monday, Park appointed some of her cabinet ministers.

As she presided over her first Cabinet meeting, Park reiterated her commitment to dealing strongly with any provocation from the north. As the posts of defence minister and chief of national security are still empty, Park urged the oppostion to approve her cabinet reorganisation bill.

Meanwhile, the ordinary people in South Korea are also concerned about the escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Many staged protests to demonstrate against the drill.

They are worried that the drill may only worsen the tension.

As the military drill continues, it remains to be seen what's in store for the Korean Peninsula.

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