On January 5th, 2023, South Korea ordered the evacuation of two islands near the maritime border with North Korea after North Korea conducted live-fire artillery drills in the area. The disputed maritime border known as the Northern Limit Line separates the territorial waters of the two Koreas.
Yeonpyeong Island and Baengnyeong Island, both located just south of the border in Gangwon Province, received evacuation orders from the South Korean military after North Korea launched over 200 artillery shells near Yeonpyeong Island earlier that morning. A village official on Yeonpyeong Island told reporters that residents were asked to evacuate following a request from the South Korean military.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea fired the artillery shells north across the Northern Limit Line into the waters between North and South Korea. No damage was reported in South but the act was seen as a provocation from North Korea. The shells landed in territorial waters north of the sea border based on co-ordinates provided by South Korea’s military.
South Korea strongly condemned North Korea’s drills and warned it would respond sternly if there were additional provocations. A defense ministry official stated that around 200 artillery rounds were fired in total near Yeonpyeong Island. The South Korean military put its forces near the border on heightened alert in response.
The residents on the two islands were transported to safety on the mainland by military and government vehicles. The evacuation order caused uncertainty for the island communities located just kilometres away from the sea border. Yeonpyeong Island is home to around 1,300 residents while Baengnyeong Island has around 560 people.
Tensions often flare up in this area due to differing views of the Northern Limit Line between North and South Korea. There have been several violent clashes along the border in past decades leading to military and civilian casualties. In 2010, North Korea bombarded Yeonpyeong Island killing two South Korean marines and two civilians.
The North’s live-fire drills come at a time of increased regional tensions following recent missile tests conducted by North Korea. The isolated country has carried out several banned missile launches this year as it expands its weapons stockpile and rejects international offers for talks over its nuclear program.
South Korea’s military maintained readiness and surveillance of the area following the shells being fired. South Korean forces usually respond to similar provocations with live ammunition exercises of their own according to the rules of engagement along the sea border. However, on this occasion no retaliatory fire was reported from the South.
The evacuation and heightened tensions illustrate the delicate security situation on the Korean border islands. Despite being so close to shore, the isolated communities face threats from North Korea’s ongoing military provocations. South Korea remains vigilant against further escalation while protecting civilians near the contested maritime border. The latest incident showed how a small military act by North Korea can quickly disrupt daily life for island residents on the Southern side.
In summary, South Korea ordered the evacuation of two border islands after North Korea launched artillery shells near their sea boundary in an act denounced as a provocation. Residents faced uncertainty until given the all-clear while South Korean and US forces remained alert for additional military moves from the North amid high regional tensions over its weapons programs and tests. The incident reflects the precarious reality for those living near the vulnerable frontline with North Korea.
