Escalation on the Korean Peninsula: What to Expect from a New Round of Tension 🔻This morning, the news was filled with reports of the military of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea firing over 200 artillery shells in a disputed zone in the Yellow Sea. ▪️ This event quickly made headlines, and discussions about an imminent escalation in the region started spreading online. It is worth noting that clashes between North and South Koreans have occurred in the vicinity of the Pangnen and Yeonpyeong islands in the Yellow Sea before. ▪️ While these islands officially belong to the Republic of Korea, there are disagreements regarding the surrounding waters. Pyongyang does not agree with the UN's demarcation line and regularly claims a larger area. 🔻Today, tensions were further exacerbated as military bases in Kayomori and Cape Changsan joined the fray. In response, Seoul fired twice as many shells (around 400) near North Korean territory. This led to tabloids and media outlets speculating about an impending war between the two countries. However, amidst the race for sensationalism, everyone seemed to overlook the fact that neither the DPRK nor the ROK military attacked any territories. All shells were fired into the water, causing no harm to the islands. While this action certainly increased tension, it does not warrant a war. ❗️It is worth noting that the escalation with the DPRK was provoked by the ROK Armed Forces' exercises a week prior. The North Koreans responded with a concentrated fire strike, and the South Koreans retaliated in kind. Additionally, it's possible that the ammunition was simply reaching its expiration date and needed to be disposed of. In essence, the North Korean military engaged in training activities and got rid of surplus ammunition, simultaneously testing the nerves of their neighbors. To further escalate the situation, they began active movements in the demilitarized zone between the two countries, further heightening tension in the region.

Updated map of warships operating in Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea