China Perspective

China expresses concern over fire between DPRK, ROK

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-23 16:59
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BEIJING - A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said China has noticed reports about the allegedly exchange of fire between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Tuesday, urging related sides to do things conducive to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.

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"We have noticed related reports and are concerned about the issue. The real situation needs to be confirmed," said spokesman Hong Lei at a regular briefing.

"We hope related parties to do things conductive to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula," Hong Lei said.

One ROK soldier was killed and 13 others were injured when the DPRK fired Tuesday scores of artillery onto a ROK island and also into waters off the west coast of the Korean peninsula near a tense maritime border, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

Reportedly fired at 2:34 pm local time, some shells landed on ROK's Yeonpyeong Island and local residents are currently moving to shelters.

ROK fired back in response, and the military is now put on a heightened alert, officials said. It also deployed fighter jets to the west sea, according to Seoul's Yonhap News Agency.