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North and South Korea warned of an exchange of fire along their disputed western maritime border, a move that has raised fears of a possible conflict.
It comes after the two countries accused each other of violating their maritime borders in the early hours of Monday.
South Korea Claiming it issued the warning to repel a North Korean merchant ship that violated its maritime border, the country’s military said it had carried out “normal operations” for the incursion.
“We once again urge North Korea to immediately stop its consistent provocations and accusations that undermine peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and the international community,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
at the same time, North Korea Said its coastal defence units fired 10 shells in response after “detecting naval enemy movement”.
“We have ordered preliminary countermeasures to vigorously destroy enemy ships,” a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army said, according to KCNA’s official news agency.
While there are no reports of fighting between the two sides, the border on the west coast of the Korean peninsula is a source of long-standing hostilities.
The latest exchange of fire comes at a time of heightened military tensions as North Korea conducts weapons tests at an unprecedented pace this year.
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Kim says NK is ready to use nukes
‘May lead to serious firefight’
In recent weeks, North Korea has fired short-range ballistic missiles and hundreds of artillery shells off its east and west coasts in protest against South Korea’s military activities.
The South Korean military began their annual defense exercise last week, which includes a four-day exercise using 20 warships.
The exercises are aimed at improving the South’s and U.S. military capabilities to counter nuclear and missile threats from the North.
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Experts say North Korea could extend its nuclear test, conduct its first nuclear test in five years or launch other provocations if South Korea and the United States continue joint military exercises.
“Pyongyang’s politics of blaming external threats and showing confidence in its military capabilities could inspire greater risk-taking,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.
“North Korea’s detection of South Korea’s perimeter defenses could lead to serious firefights and unintended escalation.”
North Korea has reacted angrily to the drills, calling them provocative and threatening countermeasures.
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