(아시아/한국) 서쪽 국경에 포격이 있은 후 대피 명령

출처: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34001126

28 minutes ago: August 20, 2015

South Korea evacuation after shelling on western border 서쪽 국경에 포격이 있은 후 대피 명령

North and South Korea have exchanged cross-border fire several times in recent years (file photo)

South Korea has ordered the evacuation of residents from an area of its western border after an exchange of fire with North Korea, reports say. 한국은 북한과 교전 후 서쪽 국경 지역에 사는 주민들에게 대피를 명령했다.

North Korea fired a shell at a South Korean military unit on Thursday, prompting the south to retaliate with several artillery rounds, the South's defence ministry said. 북한이 목요일 남한 부대에 포격을 가하자 남한쪽에서도 북한에 보복차원에서 수 차례의 포격을 가했다고 국방부는 밝혔다.

South Korea's National Security Council is due to hold an emergency session.

The western sea border has long been a flashpoint between the two Koreas. 서해 국경은 남북한 사이에서 오랫동안 화약고였다.

North Korea fired a projectile towards Yeoncheon, a town north-west of Seoul, at 15:52 local time (06:52 GMT), the defence ministry said.

Reports suggest the target could have been a loudspeaker broadcasting anti-Pyongyang messages.

The South then fired "dozens of rounds of 155mm shells" towards where they thought the rocket was launched from, the ministry added in a statement.

There were no immediate reports of any injuries or damage on either side.

The two Koreas remain technically at war, because the 1950-1953 war ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

The two sides have exchanged cross-border fire several times in recent years.

A local official told AP news agency that about 80 residents in Yeoncheon had been evacuated, with other residents in the area also urged to take shelter.