Updated

South Korea's military has apologized after two marines fired rifles at a civilian jetliner they mistook for a North Korean military aircraft.

Yonhap news agency says a Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman expressed regret Monday and said the military plans to strengthen training so troops can better distinguish civilian planes.

South Korea earlier said it wouldn't punish the marines who fired at the plane because they were following their training.

The Asiana Airlines plane carrying 119 people from the Chinese city of Chengdu on Friday was undamaged. Officials say it wasn't in range of the rifle fire.

Tensions between the Koreas are high following two attacks last year blamed on North Korea that killed 50 South Koreans.