South Korean islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong were ordered to evacuate amid reports that North Korea had fired nearly 200 artillery shells. Tension in the region has reached higher levels than ever in the last decade.
As Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip enter their third month, the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has been going on for more than two years, has intensified again with the start of the new year. While the world is focused on the news coming from these two regions, it is reported that tensions are rising in another corner.
According to the international news agency AFP, North Korea and South Korea, known as enemy brothers, have been experiencing one of the most serious military tensions since 2010.
North Korea Fired 200 Cannonballs
The South Korean Ministry of Defense announced that North Korea fired approximately 200 artillery shells from Deungsan Cape in the north of Yeonpyeong Island between 09.00 and 11.00 local time. The Ministry pointed out that these actions were provocative actions that threatened peace on the Korean Peninsula.
He stated that North Korea assumes full responsibility and firmly demands that it stop such actions immediately. He also emphasized that the military is closely monitoring the situation in close coordination with the United States and will take appropriate measures against North Korea’s provocations.
Evacuation Order Given
Speaking to AFP, South Korean officials stated that civilians on Yeonpyeong Island were ordered to evacuate. While he stated that this order was considered a “preventive measure”, it was reported that the authorities on Baengnyeong Island took similar measures.
An official from Baengnyeong Island stated that they had been informed that the South Korean army would conduct a naval exercise soon and said, “We are currently making evacuation announcements.”
Kim Jin-soo, one of the island residents, said in his statement to YTN, a local broadcasting organization, “At first I thought these artillery shells were fired by our own army, but later it was said that they were fired by North Korea.”
South Korea’s Rapprochement with the USA
In November 2010, North Korea attacked Yeonpyeong island with 170 artillery shells. This attack was the first North Korean attack on an area populated by civilians since the Korean War, and four people, including two civilians, died in this incident.
Relations between the two countries are at their lowest level after South Korea’s rapprochement with the United States and North Korea’s nuclear moves.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated in a recent statement that the risk of armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula is rapidly becoming a reality due to the maneuvers of the United States. He also instructed to use the most powerful means to destroy the United States and South Korea in the event of a military conflict.
Late last year, the Washington administration deployed a nuclear-powered submarine to the South Korean port city of Busan to deter North Korea. It also operated by flying long-range bombers in exercises in Seoul and Tokyo.
North Korea considers Washington’s use of strategic weapons such as B-52 bombers in joint exercises on the Korean Peninsula as “deliberate and provocative steps.”
