U.S. Helicopter Crashes Near North Korean Border

A U.S. military helicopter has crashed in South Korea, near the North Korean border.

A U.S. military official told AFP the CH-53 heavy lifting helicopter had a "hard landing" in Cheolwon County, north of Seoul.

The official said it was on a training mission and no casualties were reported among the three crew members and 13 other military personnel on board.

The United States and South Korea began military exercises last month that are expected to continue until the end of April.

The exercises have angered North Korea, which announced in recent weeks that its missiles are targeting U.S. military bases and that a "state of war" exists with South Korea.

Tensions have been high since Pyongyang carried out its third nuclear test in February.

Based on reporting by AFP and dpa