North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells onto a South Korean island, killing Two Skorean marines and triggering an exchange of fire as southern armed forces went on their highest state of alert.
North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells onto a South Korean island on Tuesday, killing Two Skorean marines and triggering an exchange of fire as southern armed forces went on their highest state of alert.
In what appeared to be one of the most serious border incidents since the 1950-53 war, South Korea's government convened in an underground war room and air force jets were reportedly scrambled to the Yellow Sea island.
The firing came after North Korea's disclosure of an apparently operational uranium enrichment programme -- a second potential way of building a nuclear bomb -- which is causing serious alarm for the United States and its allies.
Some 50 North Korean shells landed on the South Korean border island of Yeonpyeong near the tense Yellow Sea border, damaging dozens of houses and sending plumes of thick smoke into the air, YTN television reported. Two South Korean Marine -- part of a contingent based permanently on Yeonpyeong island -- was killed and around 13 soldiers were wounded, the military said.
The military said 13 Marines were injured and YTN said two civilians were also hurt. "A North Korean artillery unit staged an illegal firing provocation at 2:34 pm (0534 GMT) and South Korean troops fired back immediately in self-defence," a ministry spokesman told AFP. "A Class-A military alert issued for battle situations has been imposed immediately," the spokesman said.
One island resident, Lee Jong-Sik, told YTN: "At least 10 houses are burning. I can't see clearly for the smoke. The hillsides are also on fire. "We were told by loudspeakers to flee our homes."
South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak convened an emergency security meeting in response to the latest incident, a presidential spokesman said. "He is now in an underground war room to discuss possible responses with ministers of related agencies and national security advisers," the spokesman told AFP. Lee urged the officials to "handle it (the situation) well to prevent further escalation", the spokesman said.
South Korea warned North Korea it would "sternly retaliate" for any further provocations. "Our military... will sternly retaliate against any further provocations," a presidential statement said. "North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong island constitutes a clear armed provocation. Furthermore, its reckless shelling of civilian targets is unpardonable. "North Korean authorities must take responsibility."
The new crisis erupted as a US special envoy headed to China Tuesday to seek its help in curbing North Korea's new nuclear project, revealed to US experts who described a sophisticated programme to enrich uranium.
WORLD POWERS WORRIED
Russia warned against an escalation of tensions saying "it's important that this does not lead to an aggravation of the situation on the Korean peninsula," a foreign ministry official told Interfax.
The White House said it "strongly condemns" North Korea's attack on a South Korean island. "The United States strongly condemns this attack and calls on North Korea to halt its belligerent action and to fully abide by the terms of the Armistice Agreement," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement. Gibbs said the United States is "firmly committed to the defense of our ally, the Republic of Korea, and to the maintenance of regional peace and stability."
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, whose country has long had difficult relations with the reclusive communist state, ordered his government to prepare for any eventuality. "I ordered (ministers) to make preparations so that we can react firmly, should any unexpected event occur," Kan told reporters after an emergency meeting of cabinet members and senior officials at his official residence.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned North Korea's "unprovoked attack" on South Korea, saying it would lead to further tensions on the peninsula. "We strongly urge North Korea to refrain from such attacks and adhere to the Korean Armistice agreement. I welcome (South Korean) President Lee Myung-bak's call for restraint."
Germany's foreign minister Guido Westerwelle said in a statement he was "very worried" about the firing of artillery shells by North Korea onto a South Korean island, saying it threatened peace in the region.
EU chief diplomat Catherine Ashton condemned North Korea's shelling saying "I am deeply concerned by today's events on the Korean Peninsula, which have reportedly led to casualties among South Korean military and civilians," Ashton said in a statement. "I strongly condemn this attack by the DPRK. I call on the North Korean authorities to refrain from any action that risks further escalation and to fully respect the Korean Armistice Agreement," she said.
France also condemned the attack and a French diplomatic source said that the UN Security Council is to hold an emergency session. "A Council emergency session is being organised. France is very much in favour," the source said. "France calls on North Korea to end (its) provocations and refrain from any new act that could lead to a worsening of regional tensions," French Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said in a statement.
NATO denounced North Korea's shelling, and the 28-nation Western military alliance said it was monitoring the situation with "deep concern," NATO spokeswoman Carmen Romero told AFP.
