Tensions rise as North and South Korea exchange artillery fire

South Korea fired dozens of artillery rounds toward North Korea on Thursday after the North shelled across the border to protest against anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts by Seoul - the first exchange of fire in 10 months. North Korea did not return fire but warned Seoul in a letter that it would take military action if the South did not stop the loudspeaker broadcasts along the border within 48 hours, the South’s Defense Ministry said. In a separate letter, Pyongyang said it was willing to offer an opening to resolve the conflict even though it considers the broadcasts a declaration of war, South Korea’s Unification Ministry said. A South Korean military official said the broadcasts would continue.

Our military has stepped up monitoring and is closely watching North Korean military movements.

South Korean defense ministry

The exchange of fire was the first between the two Koreas since last October. Tension between the two Koreas has risen since early this month when landmine explosions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of the border wounded two South Korean soldiers. Seoul accused North Korea of laying the mines, which Pyongyang has denied. The incident prompted Seoul to stage the propaganda broadcasts. Thursday’s exchange of fire took place during annual joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises, which began on Monday and which North Korea condemns as preparation for war. The two Koreas have remained in a technical state of war since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The United States, which has about 28,500 military personnel in South Korea, said it was concerned and closely monitoring the situation.

Such provocative actions heighten tensions, and we call on Pyongyang to refrain from actions and rhetoric that threaten regional peace and security

U.S. State Department spokesperson Katina Adams

Asia-Pacific north korea