South Korea Orders Evacuation on Yeonpyeong Island as North Korea Fires over 200 Artillery Shells

SEAToday.com, Seoul-South Korea urged residents living on Yeonpyeong Island, an area bordering North Korea, to evacuate on Friday (1/5) due to an unspecified "situation". The information was issued twice, at 12:02 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. local time, after North Korea reportedly fired more than 200 artillery rounds at the coast near the island.

The Defense Ministry did not confirm the reason for the order, whether it was triggered by North Korean artillery fire or South Korea drills. However, text messages sent to residents and confirmed by island officials mentioned that "naval fire" to be conducted by South Korean troops starting Friday at 3 p.m. local time.

Meanwhile, South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung Joon told a televised briefing that the North’s artillery firing was “an act of provocation that threatens peace and heightens tensions on the Korean Peninsula.” Lee said South Korea strongly urges North Korea to stop provocations. He also said South Korea suffered no damages.

Previously, North Korea recently admitted that it was preparing for war, including by intensifying Pyongyang's nuclear program. This came after its relations with South Korea were strained by the launch of its spy satellite last November.