Seoul, South Korea – In a provocative move on Friday morning, North Korea’s military fired approximately 200 shells near two South Korean islands in the Yellow Sea, prompting residents to seek refuge in nearby bomb shelters, according to South Korean officials. Fortunately, no one was injured, as the rounds fell into the waters north of the de facto maritime border between the two Koreas.

South Korean marines responded to the aggression by conducting live-fire drills in the Yellow Sea later that afternoon, as confirmed by South Korea’s Defense Ministry. This incident is reminiscent of a deadly North Korean attack on Yeonpyeong in 2010, which resulted in the deaths of four people, including two South Korean marines.

Col. Lee Sung-jun, a spokesman for the South Korean armed forces, condemned North Korea’s actions and demanded the immediate cessation of activities that escalate tensions. Hundreds of civilians living on Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong sought shelter during the ordeal, which affected a total of 6,900 residents combined.

This belligerent display by North Korea reflects the regime’s consistent efforts to raise regional tensions. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has continuously pledged to enhance the country’s nuclear arsenal and military force, posing a persistent threat to regional stability.

The shelling incident occurred concurrently with joint military exercises between South Korean and U.S. troops, exacerbating the already heightened tensions in the region. The U.S. military maintains a significant presence in South Korea to deter North Korean aggression and conduct routine training and field exercises, which are regularly denounced by the North.

In summary, North Korea’s aggressive actions in the Yellow Sea have once again raised concerns over regional security and stability. The South Korean government, in response to the incident, has emphasized the need for the immediate cessation of provocations to prevent further escalation of tensions.