Artillery skirmish between Pyongyang and Seoul

27.01.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: S Korean missile ship (AFP)

DPRK and South Korea exchanged artillery fire Wednesday morning (after 04.00 am Moscow time) at the Yellow Sea; the incident happened near Northern Limit Line which is the subject of border dispute between Pyongyang and Seoul and is currently closed for navigation, reports France Press.

According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, it was N Korea who started firing from its west coast. "Our military immediately responded with counter-fire", informs France Press citing undisclosed source in administration of South Korean President.

According to him, N Korean shells impacted to the north of sea border near South Korean island Baengnyeongdo; Seoul executed response firing when N Korean shells were in the air.

"Our military fired at the shells when they were in the air. Supposedly, our gun mounts are capable to hit any opponent's target in flight", added the interviewee.

It was not reported of any sufferers or damages as a result of the skirmish. The interviewee did not specify the type and number of artillery shells.

Yonhap agency reported on Tuesday that DPRK had closed its seaports at the Yellow Sea for the period of Jan 15 – March 29 allegedly for testing of short range missiles.

According to observers, North Korea periodically tests antiship missiles under the framework of conventional exercises; however, neighboring countries concern of these actions due to N Korean nuclear and missile developments.

S Korea turned attention to the fact that navigation restriction was extended to the region close to Baengnyeongdo Island. Seoul considers the island its territory; that is the place where armed conflict between Korea states happened in Nov 2009.

Similar conflicts happened in the past as Pyongyang does not recognize so called Northern Limit Line at the Yellow Sea, which was unilaterally set after Korean War of 1950-1953. In 2007 the governments of the two Korean states agreed to turn disputable area into joint zone of peace and cooperation; however, new S Korean government come to power in 2008 canceled previous rapprochement course as well as all agreements signed by former administration.