In a series of escalating actions, the North Korean military fired over 60 rounds of artillery close to a disputed maritime border with its southern neighbor on Saturday. This comes just a day after Pyongyang had fired more than 200 rounds in the same region, marking a dangerous escalation in tensions on the Korean peninsula.

The artillery fire originated from the northwest area of Yeonpyeong Island, according to a statement released by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The shells landed within a buffer zone established between the two countries in 2018.

The residents of Yeonpyeong and Baengyeong, two islands located to the west of Seoul, were ordered into shelters, and ferry services were suspended in response to the artillery fire. South Korea's military expressed concern, stating that the repeated shelling by North Korea within the prohibited hostile act zone poses a threat to the peace in the region and further escalates tensions.

In response to Friday's artillery fire, South Korea's military also fired its own rounds into the sea. The relationship between the two countries has deteriorated in recent years, with South Korea citing provocations from the North as the reason for the strained ties.

The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, has been actively pursuing the testing of advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles, even enshrining the country's nuclear power status into its constitution. Additionally, the launch of a North Korean spy satellite in November led to the partial suspension of a 2018 agreement aimed at reducing tensions between the two Koreas.

Furthermore, the state news agency KCNA revealed that North Korea has been increasing its production of missile launchers. Kim emphasized the necessity of such preparations, citing the "prevailing grave situation that requires the country to be more firmly prepared for a military showdown with the enemy."

As tensions continue to mount between North and South Korea, the international community remains concerned about the potential ramifications of further military escalations in the region.