North Korea's Provocations Escalate Tensions on Korean Peninsula
Shells Fired Near South Korean Islands, Nuclear Capabilities Demonstrated
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) - North Korea has ramped up its provocations with a barrage of artillery shells fired into waters near South Korean border islands, further escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
On Thursday, North Korean artillery units unleashed hundreds of shells into the sea off the western coast of the Korean Peninsula, landing in the vicinity of South Korea's Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong islands. South Korea's military responded with warning shots and urged North Korea to halt its provocations.
The latest barrage comes amid North Korea's ongoing testing of its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. In recent months, North Korea has revealed small nuclear warheads that it claims can be fitted onto short-range missiles.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned that his country is prepared to counter any U.S. threats with "overwhelming nuclear force." U.S. officials have expressed concern that North Korea could conduct a seventh nuclear test at any time.
The escalating tensions have raised fears of a potential conflict on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea has condemned North Korea's provocations as "unjustifiable" and urged Pyongyang to engage in dialogue.
The international community has called on North Korea to cease its weapons development and engage in negotiations. The United Nations Security Council has imposed several rounds of sanctions on North Korea in an effort to deter its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
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