South Korea’s military confirmed that it fired warning shots early today after a North Korean commercial vessel crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea.

The incident occurred around 5 a.m. near Baengnyeong Island, a sensitive maritime area that has been the site of repeated clashes between the two Koreas. Officials said the South Korean Navy first issued audio warnings, and when the vessel failed to comply, warning shots were fired. The North Korean ship then retreated back across the boundary.

The NLL serves as the de facto maritime border between the two Koreas, but Pyongyang has never formally recognized it, often leading to heightened tensions in the region. Analysts warn that such incidents highlight the fragile security environment in the Yellow Sea and the risk of escalation.

Source: Reuters