This is the first real escalation between the DPRK and South Korea in 13 years.
The DPRK fired artillery near Yeonpyeong Island, which is the territory of South Korea. It is only 10 kilometers from the land belonging to the DPRK and a few kilometers from the maritime border line.
On January 5, between 9 and 11 am local time, about 200 shots were reportedly fired in the direction of the island. Officially, South Korea reported that no damage was caused by the shelling. But the civilian population of the island was ordered to evacuate to safe places.
Seoul has already called the shelling “provocative” and, according to the spokesman for the General Staff of the South Korean Armed Forces.
“In close coordination between South Korea and the United States, our military is monitoring and controlling relevant activities and will take appropriate measures in response to North Korea’s provocations.”
The last similar, and objectively greater, escalation between the Koreas took place on November 23, 2010, when the island was fired upon by the DPRK in response to artillery exercises by the South Korean army. At that time, the DPRK fired about 170 munitions that hit military and civilian targets.
In response, several South Korean K9s returned fire, and aircraft were deployed, but no airstrikes were carried out. In total, this 2010 strike killed two soldiers and two civilians, damaged up to 30 buildings on the island, and caused a fire that spread to 70% of the island’s territory.
Although the incident that occurred today, January 5, 2024, did not reach a similar level of escalation, it was preceded by direct threats from Kim Jong-un, who said that if South Korea and the United States provoke, the DPRK will deliver a “fatal blow.”
