On Thursday, August 20th, North and South Korea briefly exchanged artillery shells on their western borders.

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On Thursday, August 20th, North and South Korea briefly exchanged artillery shells on their western borders.

As expected, South Korean Park Geun-hye ordered a swift and severe response.

The South Korean military radar system detected a North Korean shell fired toward a South Korean front-line military unit in Yeoncheon just before 4:00 p.m. local time according to an official at the Ministry of National Defense. The official noted the DPRK fired several additional shells at the south side of the demilitarized zone near the same location.

Per Park’s orders, ROK forces returned fire with 155mm shells and other weapons in a counterattack.

And that was it. The military engagement ended with no casualties reported on either side.

South Korea has placed its military on the highest alert level with local residents being told to evacuate and seek shelter during the confrontation.

So why did the DPRK fire those rounds?

Well it appears to be related to not only the joint US-ROK military drills, but the bombardment of propaganda being spewed by South Korean loudspeakers that were erected following the recent landline incident.

North Korea warned before and once more, that it would retaliate against Seoul, if the broadcasts continued.

And that appears to be what happened.

Is there any cause to be concerned?

Sure, if you’re close to the border. But this latest incident had absolutely no impact on the rest of the nation. If fact, from the Asia News Weekly offices there was absolutely zero disruption to normal course of business.

There is absolutely no chance, which I realize is a bold statement, that the Koreas are going to go to war over this. Any news broadcast that attempts to make this anything more than a minor skirmish is going after ratings, not news.

Unfortunately, border skirmishes like this are the norm on the peninsula. The last such attack took place last year when North Korea border guards attempted to shoot down balloons launched by activists in October 2014.

Everyone on the peninsula has become accustomed to them and something like this is be expected. What needs to be watched is if the cycle will continue.

I hope you’ll let me know your thoughts on this event. Please share them in the comments, on Facebook, or Twitter.

The Asia Brief is a special feature of the Asia News Weekly podcast.

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