North Korea Fires Artillery Shells Near Border With South Korea

South Korea on Wednesday criticised North Korea for unleashing a fresh artillery barrage into waters off its east and west coasts, targeting a maritime "buffer zone" set up in 2018 to reduce tensions.

South Korea on Wednesday criticized North Korea for launching new artillery shelling into waters off its east and west coasts, targeting a naval "buffer zone" set up in 2018 to ease tensions.

Pyongyang has significantly intensified missile launches and military exercises in recent weeks,

Seoul and Washington also say that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is about to conduct what will be his country's seventh nuclear test.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said nearly 250 rounds were fired late Tuesday, calling it a "clear violation" of the 2018 agreement.

"We strongly urge North Korea to immediately cease its actions," he added.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

"The continued provocations by North Korea are actions that undermine peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the international community," she added.

On Wednesday, Pyongyang said the bombing was aimed at countering the "enemy's war maneuvers against North Korea" along the border.

A spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army said in a statement carried by the official news agency KCNA.

"KPA units on the eastern and western fronts threatened,

Warning fire was fired towards the East Sea and West Sea on the night of October 18 as a strong military countermeasure."

BY
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