South Korea exchanged warning shots with its northern neighbor early Monday morning, with both countries’ militaries accusing the other of violating maritime borders.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the navy had fired warning shots to repel a North Korean merchant vessel it claimed had encroached on its waters. Meanwhile, the North Korean military said it responded by firing 10 artillery shells as a warning to South Korea. The South Korean navy has accused it of intruding into North Korean territorial waters.
Although there were no reports of clashes between the two sides, the exchange came amid heightened tensions over North Korea’s recent barrage of weapons tests.
The inconspicuous maritime demarcation line off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula has been a source of long-standing animosity between South Korea. It is a scene of bloody skirmishes and violence between the North and South Navy.
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In recent weeks, North Korea has conducted a series of weapons tests in response to what it calls provocative military exercises between South Korea and the United States. Since September 25, North Korea has fired 15 missiles and hundreds of artillery shells into the sea.
South Korea and Washington regularly conduct military exercises to maintain readiness against a potential North Korean invasion. Allies say their drills are defensive in nature, but North Korea sees them as dress rehearsals for its invasion.
The South Korean military is conducting its annual field exercises, which are scheduled to end this Friday. An unspecified number of US forces will participate in this year’s exercises.
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Some experts say North Korea’s recent weapons tests are also aimed at beefing up its arsenal to increase its influence in future negotiations with rivals.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.