South Korea fires artillery in response to North Korea

South Korea has fired back at North Korea after North Korean artillery shells fell into the sea off its west coast.

AP quoted a South Korean military official on March 31 as saying that residents in the area said they had to evacuate during the artillery exchange.

However, not a single piece of artillery shell from either side fell on the two countries' lands or military bases, an official from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

A South Korean citizen watches news of North Korea's artillery drills (AP Photo)

Kang Myeong-sung, a civilian at a shelter on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, but visible from North Korea, said islanders were anxious and rushed to the shelters.

Mr. Kang said he did not see any fighter planes but he could still clearly hear the explosions of artillery shells.

The artillery exchange between the two countries came after Pyongyang suddenly announced it would conduct live-fire military exercises.

In recent weeks, North Korea has stepped up its threats and launched a series of ballistic missiles in protest at ongoing joint military exercises between the US and South Korea.

North Korea claims the exercise is a preparation for an invasion of North Korea, while the US and South Korea say it is a defensive exercise.

On March 30, North Korea also threatened to conduct a fourth nuclear test. However, South Korea said there were still no clear signs that North Korea could do so.

Then, on the morning of February 31, North Korea announced that it would conduct live-fire drills in areas near the sea between the two countries. South Korea said it would respond strongly if provoked.

North Korea regularly test-fires artillery and missiles into the ocean, but it rarely announces its drills in advance.

Wee Yong-sub, deputy spokesman for the South Korean Ministry of National Defense, said North Korea's message was hostile and deliberately increased tensions on the Korean peninsula./.

According to VOV