In a significant escalation of tensions, North Korea’s military fired more than 60 artillery rounds near Yeonpyeong Island, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. This move comes just a day after both North and South Korea conducted live-fire drills in the same area near their contested maritime border.
The artillery fire, originating from the northwest area of Yeonpyeong Island, occurred between approximately 16:00 and 17:00 (0700 to 0800 GMT), intensifying the military standoff. The recent artillery exchange follows North Korea’s firing of over 200 rounds of artillery shells near two South Korean islands on the previous day.
Residents of the affected islands were ordered to evacuate to shelters, with ferries suspended, marking one of the most serious military escalations on the Korean Peninsula since 2010 when North Korea bombarded Yeonpyeong Island in response to a South Korean live-fire drill.
Despite a buffer zone established under a 2018 tension-reducing deal, which collapsed in November after North Korea launched a spy satellite, the recent artillery fire targeted the prohibited hostile act zone. Seoul’s military issued a strong warning, emphasizing the threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula and urging North Korea to cease such actions.
The situation remains tense as both sides trade accusations and warnings, and South Korea vows to take appropriate measures to safeguard the nation in response to North Korea’s continued provocations.
By AFP
