North Korea fires on South Korean island

North Korea on Tuesday fired dozens of artillery rounds onto a populated South Korean island, apparently causing numerous casualties after Pyongyang claimed Seoul was readying for “an invasion,” according to media reports here.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called an emergency session of his national security council in an underground bunker at the presidential residence late Tuesday to devise a response to the attack, which occurred near the disputed western border between north and south.

The South Korean military was placed on its highest alert with fighter jets sent into the air, after officials confirmed that one marine was killed and three others “severely” wounded, according to Seoul television reports. Ten soldiers suffered minor injuries and two civilians were among the casualties.

South Korean soldiers returned fire but it was not clear whether any North Koreans were killed or injured.

The South Korean military was conducting drills near Yeonpyeong island when the North opened fire about 2:30 p.m. Seoul time, officials said. Pyongyang had earlier sent letters to Seoul that it considered the exercises “preparation for an invasion,” which South Korea denied, officials said.

Lee said he was trying to prevent the exchange of artillery fire between North and South Korea from escalating into a greater conflict, Yonhap news reported.

In a statement, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “The North’s firing comes as the South Korean forces conducted a routine drill in waters near the island.”

A spokeswoman for Lee said the Seoul government was looking into the motive behind the sudden attacks.

“Our Navy was conducting a maritime exercise near the western sea border today. North Korea has sent a letter of protest over the drill. We’re examining a possible link between the protest and the artillery attack,” said Kim Hee-jung, the spokeswoman.

Analysts said tensions in recent months had reached the breaking point.

“The artillery fire stems from mistrust between the South and North Korean militaries,” said Yang Moo-jin, professor at University of Korean Studies in Seoul.

“The continued hostile relations have escalated to this tension. Seoul has maintained that the drill near the island is a routine exercise while Pyongyang claims it’s a precursor to an invasion.”

TV stations interrupted regular programming to interview eyewitnesses on Yeonpyeong island, where flames caused by exploding shells were moving toward houses, several of which were also on fire.

It was not clear whether the structures suffered a direct hit.

The YTN television network reported that between 1,200 and 1,300 people live on the island.

john.glionna@latimes.com

Kim is a researcher in The Times’ Seoul Bureau.