North Korea fires more than 200 shells near maritime border, while South Korea files $700 million lawsuit: New York increases pressure on migrants

According to South Korean information, the North Korean military fired more than 200 artillery shells near the disputed maritime border between the two enemy states. The missiles fell in the Yellow Sea north of the maritime boundary line, the general staff in South Korea said on Friday. The grenades caused no damage.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency earlier reported that the military had asked residents of the border island of Yeonpyeong to go to shelters as a precaution. The island off the west coast was the target of a North Korean artillery attack in 2010. Four people died then.

Tensions are currently rising again on the Korean Peninsula. According to Yonhap, the armed forces of South Korea and the United States also began an artillery exercise near the border with North Korea on Thursday.

The area around the maritime border has been the scene of repeated battles between warships from both countries in the past. The so-called Northern Limit Line (NLL) is not recognized by North Korea. The border line was drawn unilaterally by a UN command after the Korean War (1950-53) to prevent hostilities between the two sides. (sda/dpa)