South Korean military is considering to beef up its forces near the Yellow Sea border with North Korea, as part of its efforts to bolster its defense capability, a government source said.

“The military is internally reviewing a plan to increase the number of marines by 1,500 to 2,000,” the source added.

The new marines will work under a new command organisation, which will be responsible for defending the five islands and is scheduled to be established in April 2011.

The defence ministry will report the plans for the Yellow Sea islands to the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae this month.

The size of the Marine Corps will be increased to 29,000 from the current 27,000 if the plan is finalised, according to Yonhap News.

South Korea has increased its forces and military arsenal on the islands since the artillery attack by North Korea in November 2010.