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DPRK, S. Korea exchange fire, at least 2 soldiers killed

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South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday exchanged fire in waters off the west coast of the divided Korean Peninsula, at least two South Korean marines were killed and 16 others injured.

Smoke is seen at Yeonpyeong island near the border against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. [Xinhua]

South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae released a statement late Tuesday, "strongly" condemning the DPRK's " unprovoked artillery firing against Yeonpyeong Island".

Calling it as "indisputable armed provocation" against South Korea, Cheong Wa Dae said "It even indiscriminately fired against civilians. Such actions will never be tolerated."

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According to Cheong Wa Dae, Seoul's military will "retaliate against any additional acts of provocation in a resolute manner," and the DPRK "will have to take full responsibility for the incident."

Fired at around 2:34 p.m. local time (0534 GMT), some shells landed on South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island near the contentious sea border called Northern Limit Line (NLL), between the two sides, Seoul's Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) confirmed to Xinhua.

South Korea fired some 80 artillery shells back in response, according to Seoul's defense minister Kim Tae-young.

The incident has claimed two South Korean soldiers' lives so far, and wounded 16 others, local media quoted military source as saying.

According to officials in Seoul, the military of South Korea is now put on a heightened alert. It is also reported that the military deployed fighter jets to the Yellow Sea in deterrence against further provocation from the North.

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