In recent weeks, tensions between the two nations have increased as a result of North Korea’s firing of short-range ballistic missiles and hundreds of artillery rounds in response to South Korea’s military actions.
North and South Korea have exchanged warning shots along their disputed western maritime border, sparking fears of impending conflict.
This comes after both nations accused each other of violating their maritime limits early Monday morning.
South Korea asserted that it sent the warnings to repel a North Korean merchant ship that had broken the maritime boundary, and the country’s military stated that it had performed a “routine operation” in response to the incursion.
The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reiterated their call for North Korea to immediately cease provocations and accusations that threaten the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the world community.
Meanwhile, North Korea reported that its coastal defense troops fired 10 artillery rounds in response to the detection of enemy naval activity.
According to the official KCNA news agency, a spokesperson for the General Staff of the North Korean People’s Army stated, “We ordered initial countermeasures to forcefully evict the enemy battleship.”
Although there have been no instances of combat between the two sides, the boundary off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula has been a source of long-standing animosity.
The latest exchange of fire comes amid rising military tensions, with North Korea conducting an unprecedented number of nuclear tests this year.
This could result in an intense exchange of fire
In protest of South Korea’s military activities, North Korea has launched short-range ballistic missiles and hundreds of artillery rounds off its east and west coasts in recent weeks.
Last Monday, South Korean forces began their annual defense exercises, which include a four-day exercise involving 20 warships.
The purpose of the exercises is to enhance the military capabilities of the South and the United States to confront the North’s nuclear and missile threats.
Experts assert that if South Korea and the United States continue their joint military drills, North Korea could expand its testing spree, execute its first nuclear test in five years, or launch other provocations.
Professor Leif-Eric Easley from Seoul’s Ewha University stated, “Pyongyang’s politics of blaming external dangers and displaying confidence in military capabilities can inspire greater risk-taking.
“North Korean probing of South Korean perimeter defenses could result in a severe exchange of fire and unplanned escalation.”
The North has already reacted strongly to the exercises, labeling them provocations and threatening to take retaliatory action.
