Seoul: North Korea fired artillery into the
sea today near its disputed border with South Korea and South
Korean forces fired back, Seoul officials said.
The North`s artillery batteries on land fired into waters
near the border shortly after 9:00 am (0530 IST), a spokesman
for the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
"Our military immediately fired back in response," a
Seoul Presidential official told on condition of
anonymity.
The incident came a day after the North declared a "no
sail zone" around the tense border, which was the scene of
deadly naval clashes in 1999 and 2002.
Another clash in November left a North Korean patrol boat
in flames.
The official said the North`s artillery rounds landed
north of the sea border, while Seoul`s forces fired at the
rounds while they were in the air. No one was injured and no
damage was caused.
The official refused to say what types of weapon were
used or how many rounds were exchanged.
"Our military fired at the shells in the air," he said.
"Our field manual states that we are supposed to target any
incoming flying objects."
Yonhap news agency said the North`s shells landed near
the South Korean-controlled island of Baengnyeong in the
Yellow Sea.
PTI
