North Korea fires 200+ artillery shells near maritime border arousing South Korea's retaliation

According to Reuters, North Korea initiated this artillery fire on Friday morning. Consequently, the residents of two South Korean islands received distressing messages instructing them to take shelter due to an unspecified "situation".

However, the Ministry of Defense did not confirm whether this order was issued due to North Korea's artillery fire or South Korea's exercises.

In one of the text messages sent to residents, there was a mention of "sea fire".

"All North Korean artillery missiles fell on the north side of the disputed maritime boundary", relayed Lee Sung-Joon, a spokesman, in a statement. He further emphasized that the South Korean military is keeping a vigilant eye on North Korea's coastal activities, collaborating closely with the American army.

The South Korean military, during a press conference, confirmed that North Korea's artillery attack didn't inflict any civilian or military damage in the south.

The military warns that South Korea will take "appropriate measures" in retaliation to the North's actions. South Korean chiefs of staff have declared their intention to conduct live fire exercises in answer to North Korea's artillery onslaught.

"It's an act of provocation that escalates tension and poses a threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula," stated the spokesperson for the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.