DPRK, ROK exchange fire across western maritime border

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Monday exchanged fire into the sea across the western maritime border, Yonhap news agency reported.

The DPRK has fired several artillery shells in waters north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), or the disputed sea border, amid its live-fire drill started in the morning. Some shells landed south of the NLL into ROK territorial waters and Seoul responded with its own artillery fire, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The ROK military said the number of the shells it fired should be equal to that from the DPRK that landed into the ROK territorial waters, Yonhap quoted the JCS as saying, adding that Seoul's army, navy and air force has declared a state of emergency.

The ROK has also evacuated border island residents amid the live-fire drill.

The DPRK declared a no-navigation zone in waters near the western maritime border earlier in the day, banning ships from sailing near the NLL.

(Updated at 14:00)

Read more: ROK evacuates border island residents amid DPRK live-fire drill

The Republic of Korea (ROK) has evacuated border island residents amid the live-fire drill of the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Yonhap news agency reported on Monday.

The DPRK declared a no-navigation zone in waters near the western maritime border earlier in the day, banning ships from sailing near the Northern Limit Line, or the disputed sea border.

The DPRK warning was seen as a hint that it will conduct firing exercises with rocket-propelled artillery guns near the tense maritime border. >>>