North Korea fires 60 artillery shells toward South Korea

North Korea has fired 60 shells from coastal artillery toward South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island.

All shells fell into the buffer zone of the Yellow Sea, Yonhap News Agency reports citing the South Korean military.

There was no information about the evacuation of civilians on the island. It is known that South Korea, unlike yesterday's attack, does not intend to return fire.

The maritime buffer zone between the countries was established by a treaty of September 19, 2018. Conducting military exercises as well as firing in the buffer zone is a violation of the military treaty.

On January 5, North Korea fired 200 artillery shells at the area of Cape Changsan north of Baengnyeong Island and Cape Gora north of Yeonpyeong Island. The shells fell north of the northern boundary line, which Seoul considers the de facto maritime boundary. Local islanders were evacuated and sea and air travel was suspended. In response, the South Korean military conducted drills.