Shootout at the Korean maritime border

South Korea announced on Monday that it will reply to the volleys of artillery launched by North Korea in the exercises performed at their maritime border, which Pyongyang contests for six decades.

"The shells launched by North Korea fell on our side (of the border) and I replied by opening fire," a spokesman of the South Korean army declared for the AFP.

The citizens of Baengnyeong border island had orders to take refuge in shelters, said a local official contacted by the AFP.