In a continued show of aggression, North Korea fired hundreds of artillery rounds near its disputed sea border with South Korea, sparking panic in the neighboring region. The hermit kingdom conducted yet another round of artillery drills on Saturday, following a previous day's exercise that raised tensions in the area.

According to South Korean intelligence estimates, approximately 200 shells were fired into the border area on Friday, with an additional 60 fired on Saturday. In response to the provocation, the South Korean Defense Ministry reportedly fired approximately 400 rounds.

Both South Korean and U.S. military officials are closely monitoring the situation, as they remain in contact to coordinate their response. "We gravely warn that the entire responsibility of such crisis-escalating situations lies with North Korea and strongly call for its immediate halt," stated South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Col. Lee Sung-jun during a press conference.

The western sea border between North and South Korea has been a site of multiple skirmishes since the end of the Korean War. Naval combat briefly broke out in 1999, 2002, and 2009. In 2010, tensions escalated when North Korea allegedly torpedoed a South Korean warship, resulting in the deaths of 46 sailors. The same year, four South Koreans lost their lives on Yeonpyeong Island after a military bombardment from the North.

As the situation remains tense, South Korea and the United States are closely tracking and monitoring North Korea's activities and will take necessary measures to address any further provocations. The international community continues to watch these developments with concern, hoping for a de-escalation of tensions in the region.