North Korea 'fires 200 artillery shells' at South Korea as island evacuated

Thousands of people living on two islands in South Korea have reportedly been told to evacuate due to artillery fire from North Korea, reports suggest.

South Korea’s  Joint Chiefs of Staff say 200 rounds were fired into the water north of the disputed western sea boundary on Friday, January 5. It said there no damage was caused and no one was injured, but described the act as a “provocation”.

Around 2,000 people on the island of Yeonpyeong have been asked to evacuate, reports the Associated Press. South Korea is expected to launch firing drills later.

The Korea Herald says a buffer zone was set up in the area in 2018 in a bid to reduce tensions between the neighbouring nations. South Korea says the artillery fire is a violation of the agreement. 

We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.