This is serious folks.
North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire Tuesday after the North shelled an island near their disputed sea border, killing at least two South Korean marines, setting dozens of buildings ablaze and sending civilians fleeing for shelter.
The clash, which put South Korea's military on high alert, was one of the rivals' most dramatic confrontations since the Korean War ended, and one of the few to put civilians at risk, though no nonmilitary deaths were immediately reported. Sixteen South Korean soldiers and three civilians were injured and the extent of casualties on the northern side was unknown
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Apparently South Korea was conducting scheduled exercises where they lobbed shells into international waters. The North contends some of those shells landed in their waters and retaliated by shelling an island with a substantial civilian population.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who convened an emergency security meeting shortly after the initial bombardment, said that an "indiscriminate attack on civilians can never be tolerated."
"Enormous retaliation should be made to the extent that (North Korea) cannot make provocations again," he said.
Meanwhile, the supreme military command in Pyongyang threatened more strikes if the South crossed their maritime border by "even 0.001 millimeter," according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
A statement from the North said it was merely "reacting to the military provocation of the puppet group with a prompt powerful physical strike," and accused Seoul of starting the skirmish with its "reckless military provocation as firing dozens of shells inside the territorial waters of the" North.
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Our government has answered with this statement.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called on North Korea to "halt its belligerent action," and said the U.S. is committed to South Korea's defense.
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China has asked that both sides make a greater effort for peace.
China, the North's economic and political benefactor, which also maintains close commercial ties to the South, appealed to both sides to remain calm and "to do more to contribute to peace and stability on the peninsula," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
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The latest reporting is that there are elements in Japan and South Korea may want a greater retaliation than what has currently already happened.
It is my prayer cooler heads will prevail.
Update: Hey Kossacks I mean to follow this story throughout the day which is another reason I put Breaking in the title. (Thanks Kestrel ; )) So, if anyone is following the story and has additional information I'll update the diary happily with it. First contribution from Senor Unobal and the New York Times account, also I've been made aware this story does have a diary on it here Sorry for stepping on your diary Bobswern and Here is another great diary by Stranded Wind
Update: Kossack Catte Nappe informs me that the source Debka is of radcon Worldnet Daily bent. It has been removed from diary.