North and South Korea exchanged artillery...
The two Koreas" disputed maritime boundary is often a source of tension on the peninsula, divided since the Korean War ended with a truce in 1953.
"We have confirmed North Korea"s firing of several artillery shells, but they did not cross the [Northern Limit Line]," Park Sung-woo, of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul, was quoted by the news agency as saying.
"We are on high military alert," he said.
Media reports quoted an unidentified government official at South Korea"s presidential office as saying South Korea had responded by firing warning shots.
"Our military fired at the shells in the air," he said. "Our field manual states that we are supposed to target any incoming flying objects."
The firing, from land-based artillery, reportedly caused neither casualties nor damage. No naval vessels were involved.
The North Korean People"s Army General Staff confirmed the firing, saying it was part of an "annual" drill.