Tensions surge as North Korea fires artillery for third consecutive day: Kim’s sister mocks, South Korea issues stern warning

For the third straight day, North Korea has escalated tensions by firing more than 90 rounds of artillery shells near the disputed sea boundary with South Korea on Sunday afternoon, according to a report by AP. South Korea’s military has strongly urged North Korea to cease these provocative actions as concerns mount over the intensifying situation.
North Korean Leader’s Sister Dismisses South Korean Claims
In response to South Korea’s allegations, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed the claims of artillery shell launches, mocking South Korea’s detection capabilities.This led South Korea’s military to characterize her statement as “low-level psychological warfare” and issue a stern warning of a robust response to any further provocations.
Artillery Firings Continue Despite Denials
The South Korean military reported that North Korea fired shells near the disputed western sea boundary on Saturday, launching over 60 rounds just a day after an initial barrage of more than 200 shells. Despite North Korea’s denial of any activity on Saturday, Kim Yo Jong asserted on Sunday that they had only detonated blasting powder to simulate coastal artillery sounds for testing South Korea’s detection capabilities.
Potential Collapse of Military Accord
The recent artillery exchanges prompted South Korea to conduct its own firing exercises, with shells from both sides falling within a maritime buffer zone established under a 2018 military agreement aimed at easing front-line tensions. This accord, designed to halt live-fire exercises and other hostile acts, is now at risk of collapsing due to recent breaches by both nations.
Political Motivations and Election Influence
Experts suggest that North Korea’s increased weapons tests and fiery rhetoric may be strategically timed to gain leverage ahead of South Korea’s parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential elections in November. Kim Yo Jong’s critical statements also included references to South Korea’s military as “gangsters” and “clowns in military uniforms,” warning of potential miscalculations leading to accidental clashes that could jeopardize the safety of Seoul, a city of 10 million people located just an hour’s drive from the land border.
(With inputs from agencies)