BREAKING

[UPDATE] Artillery fire exchanged between North and South Korea

Normally, allkpop doesn't report on the political going-ons in Korea, but today we have to make an exception. At 2:34PM (KST), North Korea fired artillery shells across the ocean border, and at least 200 shells landed on South Korea's Yeonpyeong island. While there have been altercations in the past, the South Korean people are experiencing a panic because the artillery shells were fired at an inhabited island. According to CNN, 14 of the South's military personnel, as well as 2 civilians, were injured. South Korea responded to the provocation with 80 rounds of artillery, and rallied fighter jets as a countermeasure. An emergency meeting between the top members of the presidency and the security ministers has been called in Seoul, and the alert system in the South climbed in response to the altercation. We hope everybody remains safe during this time of crisis. Additionally, well wishes to those already injured. Thanks to the concerned individuals who sent in tips. -- Update #1: According to CNN, "North Korea fired artillery toward its tense western sea border with South Korea on Tuesday, killing at least one South Korean soldier, the Yonhap news agency reported. Two civilians and 13 other South Korean military personnel were injured, with three of the soldiers seriously hurt, Yonhap said." -- Update #2: BBC has reported that this event is a strong indication of a switch-up at the highest level of North Korea's power echelon. The Daily Telegraph goes a step further and infers that the bombardment is reflective of Kim Jong Il's successor (his third son Kim Jong Un) beginning to take the reins of the nation, since historically, the new successor to the North Korean seat was heralded by a "series of aggressive acts intended to strengthen the new leader's relationship to the army." Meanwhile, South Korean president Lee Myung Bak has ordered his officials to "sternly respond" to North Korea's actions, but at the same time, ensure that "the situation does not escalate". At this time, the official death count has climbed to 2 - the second casualty was reported to be another soldier. Source + Photos: CNN, BBC, Reuters, The Daily Telegraph