November 23rd, North Korea fired scores of artillery shells at the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, killing at least four (two soldiers, two civilians), wounding 18 more, destroying several houses, and setting numerous fires in one of the most serious clashes between the two countries in decades. North Korea claimed it was a response to earlier shells fired by South Korea - which the South acknowledged had been fired, but as an exercise, and not into North Korean territory. 70,000 South Korean troops were beginning an annual nationwide military drill called "Safeguarding the Nation" in the area, near the spot where a South Korean naval vessel was sunk in March, killing 46 sailors - which Seoul also blamed on North Korea. This attack coupled with recent revelations about the North's nuclear capabilities and escalating threats and counter-threats have raised tensions around the region - even as athletes from both Koreas continue to compete on a world stage, against each other and other nations, in the Asian Games in China.
This picture taken on November 23, 2010 by a South Korean tourist shows huge plumes of smoke rising from Yeonpyeong island in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea on November 23, 2010. North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells onto a South Korean island on November 23, 2010, killing four people, setting homes ablaze and triggering an exchange of fire as the South's military went on top alert. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture of smoke rising at Yeonpyeong Island after it was hit by dozens of artillery shells fired by North Korea, is shown on a mobile phone of a resident of the island November 23, 2010. (REUTERS/Kyodo)
A resident attempts to extinguish a house fire during North Korea's artillery shelling of Yeonpyeong Island November 24, 2010. (REUTERS/Yonhap)
Smoke billows from a brushfire on a mountain on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Yonhap)
Fire fighters extinguish a fire on Yeonpyeong island in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea on November 24, 2010 after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells the day before. (Incheon Fire and Safety/AFP/Getty Images)
Smoke billows from multiple locations on Yeonpyeong island near the border between North Korea and South Korea on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Yonhap)
Destroyed houses are seen on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, following artillery exchange between North and South Korea on November 24, 2010. (Korea Pool/Getty Images)
An aerial view shows destroyed houses on Yeonpyeong island, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, one day after North Korea's artillery attack on the island.
This handout picture taken and released on November 24, 2010 by the Ongjin County Office shows the badly damaged interior of a house on Yeonpyeong island in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea a day after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells.
Destroyed houses on Yeonpyeong island in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea after North Korea fired artillery shells at the island, seen on November 23, 2010.
This picture taken on November 23, 2010 by a South Korean tourist shows huge plumes of smoke rising from Yeonpyeong island in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea on November 23, 2010. North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells onto a South Korean island on November 23, 2010, killing four people, setting homes ablaze and triggering an exchange of fire as the South's military went on top alert. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
A picture of smoke rising at Yeonpyeong Island after it was hit by dozens of artillery shells fired by North Korea, is shown on a mobile phone of a resident of the island November 23, 2010. (REUTERS/Kyodo)
A resident attempts to extinguish a house fire during North Korea's artillery shelling of Yeonpyeong Island November 24, 2010. (REUTERS/Yonhap)
Smoke billows from a brushfire on a mountain on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Yonhap)
Fire fighters extinguish a fire on Yeonpyeong island in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea on November 24, 2010 after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells the day before. (Incheon Fire and Safety/AFP/Getty Images)
Smoke billows from multiple locations on Yeonpyeong island near the border between North Korea and South Korea on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Yonhap)
Destroyed houses are seen on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, following artillery exchange between North and South Korea on November 24, 2010. (Korea Pool/Getty Images)
An aerial view shows destroyed houses on Yeonpyeong island, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, one day after North Korea's artillery attack on the island.
This handout picture taken and released on November 24, 2010 by the Ongjin County Office shows the badly damaged interior of a house on Yeonpyeong island in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea a day after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells.
Destroyed houses on Yeonpyeong island in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea after North Korea fired artillery shells at the island, seen on November 23, 2010.


