South Korea has today warned North Korea that it will ‘sternly retaliate’ to any further attacks after dozens of shells were fired at a South Korean island.
The attack killed two South Korean marines and injured 17 other, as well as three civilians. Dozens of artillery shells were directed at a Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow sea, 50 miles off the South’s northwest coast in an area close to a disputed sea border.
The violence comes days after it emerged that North Korea was set to press ahead with its illegal nuclear programme and marks a serious further escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
A presidential statement said the shelling “constitutes a clear armed provocation.”
“Furthermore, its reckless shelling of civilian targets is unpardonable.
“North Korean authorities must take responsibility.”
It is thought that the incident was sparked by South Korean military exercises in the area, of which the North had allegedly objected to.
Officials set the number at “dozens” of artillery round whilst other reports suggested around 200 shells could have been fired during the attack. Eyewitnesses reported the attack began at 2.34 local time (7.34 GMT).
In response to the unexpected attack, South Korean land-based forces returned fire on the North and civilians had to be evacuated to emergency bunkers.
The Seoul-based cable news television channel YTN captured the impact of the attack showing pictures of plumes of smoke rising from the island.
“Houses and mountains are on fire and people are evacuating. You can't see very well because of plumes of smoke," a witness on the island told YTN. “People are frightened to death and shelling continues as we speak," the witness added.
The US issued a statement saying it "strongly condemns" the attack, urging it to halt its "belligerent action".
Japan’s Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, has ordered his ministers to prepare for any eventuality.
"I ordered (ministers) to make preparations so that we can react firmly, should any unexpected event occur," Mr. Kan said.
"We will make preparations so that whatever happens, we will be able to deal with it."
Russia called for both sides to avoid any escalation of violence, while China, the North’s closest international ally, said it was “concerned” over the situation.
The attack comes after nearly two years of deteriorating relations between the two Koreas which reached a nadir last March after the sinking of a South Korean corvette, the Cheonan, with the loss of 46 lives.
South Korea has since cut off almost all humanitarian aid to the near-bankrupt North.
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