South Korea orders evacuation on Yeonpyeong Island as North Korea fires over 200 artillery shells

 

South Korea has ordered the evacuation of Yeonpyeong Island as North Korea unleashed more than 200 artillery shells into the sea near the heavily fortified maritime border with its southern neighbor. The evacuation directive was issued in response to a request from the South Korean military, according to an official from Yeonpyeong Island.

The Defense Ministry did not explicitly confirm whether the evacuation was prompted by North Korea's artillery firing or routine South Korean drills. However, a text message sent to residents referred to "naval fire" by South Korean troops commencing at 3 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Friday.

Yeonpyeong Island, located just south of the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL), witnessed the evacuation as a precautionary measure at the request of the South Korean military. The North's artillery barrage reportedly caused no damage in South Korea, as confirmed by a military briefing. Additionally, residents of Baengnyeong Island, situated further west near the sea border, were also instructed to evacuate, according to a local village official.

North Korea launched over 200 coastal artillery shells on Friday morning, landing north of the Northern Limit Line, the de facto sea boundary between the two Koreas, as reported by South Korea's military. The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that North Korea's actions violated a 2018 military agreement, deeming it a provocation. South Korea, in response, pledged to take 'appropriate' measures.

A defense ministry official disclosed during a briefing that approximately 200 shots were fired by North Korea near Yeonpyeong Island, causing concern. Local officials in Yeonpyeong reported that civilians were urged to evacuate. Yonhap, quoting an official, stated, "We announced the evacuation after receiving a call from a military unit saying it was carrying out a maritime strike on Yeongpyeong Island as it has a situation with a North Korean provocation." The situation remains tense as both sides assess and respond to the evolving circumstances.