North Korea fired field artillery rounds near the de facto maritime border between North and South Korea on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday alone, it is estimated that the North fired more than 100 rounds into North Korean waters 2 to 3 km from the Northern Limit Line. It is the first time the North has fired field guns in the area, and it has made clear its intention to continue doing so.
The artillery fire over the Yellow Sea could heighten tensions throughout the whole of Northeast Asia. The South Korean Defense Ministry said, "Our military forces will sternly deal with the North's provocative actions and the North will be held responsible for any ensuing consequences." It is hoped that South Korea will deal with the situation in a cool-headed manner.
The North had threatened to start a "holy war of revenge" after South Korea worked out a plan to cope with a sudden change in North Korea's domestic political stability. The North also reacted strongly when the South Korean defense minister hinted at carrying out a preemptive attack in the case of there being signs that the North would launch a nuclear attack.