DPRK fires on RoK, injuring at least 16
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired artillery into the water near its tense western sea border with the Republic of Korea (RoK) on November 23, injuring at least 14 RoK miltary personnel and two civilians, the Yonhap news agency reported.
At least 200 rounds of artillery hit an inhabited RoK island after the DPRK started firing at about 2:30 PM local time, Yonhap said.
The RoK military responded with 80 rounds of artillery and deployed fighter jets to counter the fire. The RoK army also raised its alert condition, the report said.
 |
Images of plumes of smoke were quickly broadcast on Yonhap television from the island of Yeonpyeong, but it was not immediately clear what the artillery had hit.
The island that was hit has a total of about 1,300 residents, a fisherman who lives on the island told Yonhap.
The RoK government immediately called an emergency meeting of its security ministers.
The DPRK fire came as the RoK's military conducted routine drills in waters off the island.