North Korean Attack: South Vows Retaliation Against New Attacks (Video)

The North Korean attack on Yeonpyeong island prompted the South to vow retaliation against any further attacks by the North.

The North Korean attack on Yeonpyeong island prompted the South to vow retaliation against any further attacks by the North. Above, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak receives a briefing at the control center of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Defense Ministry November 23 in Seoul, South Korea. South Korean Presidential House via Getty Images

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SEOUL, South Korea—In response to North Korea’s attack on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong Tuesday—the first military offensive on civilians since the Korean War ended in 1953—Seoul promised to “retaliate against any additional acts of provocation in a resolute manner.”

According to the South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the North Korea military started firing a barrage of artillery shells at 2:34 p.m. local time, on Yeonpyeong Island and its surrounding waters. A least two marines were killed and 13 soldiers wounded, as shells fell on the island inhabited by 1,600 civilians. Four residents were reported wounded. The bombing on the island ended at 3:29 p.m.

South Korea’s military responded at 2:47 pm, firing 80 shells toward the North Korean artillery base on the west coast, and deploying fighter jets to the West Sea. All troops were placed on maximum alert.