North and South Korea Trade Rocket and Artillery Fire, Seoul Says

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SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea and North Korea exchanged rocket and artillery fire across their tense border on Thursday in their first armed clash in five years, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.

No casualties were immediately reported on either side.

South Korean military radar detected what appeared to be a North Korean rocket landing in Yeoncheon, a South Korean border county north of Seoul, at 3:52 p.m. Thursday, the Defense Ministry said in a brief statement. The statement did not mention any damage from the rocket.

South Korea responded by firing “dozens” of shells from a 155-millimeter artillery unit, targeting the rocket’s launching point in the North, the ministry said.

“Our military has increased its vigilance and is closely watching the movement of the North Korean military,” it added.

About 200 people were evacuated from villages in Yeoncheon, said Hong Seong-beom, a county official. Mr. Hong said there were no immediate reports of damage.

Full article: North and South Korea Trade Rocket and Artillery Fire, Seoul Says (NY Times)

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