South Korea Issues Evacuation Order on Island Near North Korea Border

North Korea's military fired about 200 shells near two South Korean islands in the Yellow Sea on Friday morning. In response, South Korean marines conducted afternoon live-fire drills. Following the artillery fire, South Korea ordered the residents of Yeonpyeong Island to seek shelter due to the military provocations coming from the North. The artillery fire came as a part of the provocative drills that took place along the tense sea boundary between the two countries, fueling further animosities. South Korea has issued official evacuation orders for the residents of two of its islands, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The recent actions from North Korea have been described by South Korea's Defense Chief as 'reckless provocations,' forewarning it as a 'prelude to destruction'. These escalating tensions in the region have not only affected the residents of the border islands but also had an impact on South Korea's financial markets, as evidenced by the downturn of the KOSPI and the won. The military standoff has raised concerns, prompting discussions around North Korea's provocations and its impact on the tensions between the two Koreas.