Reuters reports that early on Tuesday, North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells at a South Korean island, killing two soldiers and setting houses ablaze, in one of the most serious attacks on its neighbour since the Korean War ended in 1953.
The attack, which saw South Korea return fire, came as the reclusive state had been pressing regional powers to return to negotiations about its nuclear weapons programme and follows revelations at the weekend that Pyongyang is fast developing another source of material to make atomic bombs.
It also follows moves by iron-fisted leader Kim Jong-il to make his youngest son heir apparent to the family dynasty.
Experts say that for decades, the Korean leadership has pursued a carefully calibrated policy of provocation to win concessions from the international community and impress his own military. But there is a risk that the transition in leadership is upsetting this balance and events could spin out of control, they warn.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who has pursued a hard line with the reclusive North since taking office nearly three years ago, said the response had to be firm following the attack on Yeonpyeong Island, just 120km (75 miles) west of Seoul.
The two Koreas are still technically at war — the Korean War ended without a ceasefire in 1953 — and tension rose sharply early this year after Seoul accused the North of torpedoing one of its navy vessels, killing 46 sailors. An international investigation later concluded that the North had indeed sunk the vessel.
"I strongly condemn this attack by the DPRK [the Democratic People's Republic of Korea]. I call on the North Korean authorities to refrain from any action that risks further escalation and to fully respect the Korean Armistice Agreement. I welcome a call for restraint by [South Korea] President Lee Myung-bak," EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton stated in an official communiqué.
"We are monitoring developments closely. I would like to underline that peace and stability on the Korean peninsula remains essential for the region and the wider world," she added.
