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Today's TOP STORY in the S. Korean and int'l media: Pyongyang's latest "Peace Initiative for the Korean Peninsula":

In one of fiercest attacks in decades, North Korea fires at least 200 artillery shells at South Korean island(*), killing two soldiers and setting dozens of villagers' houses ablaze, Reuters reported this morning (GMT).

 
Just few minutes after the attack a source from Beijing (cited in today's Guardian) reported the following:

The artillery attacks are a "totally justifiable act of self-defence" in response to the South's sea drills, an unofficial spokesman for North Korea has said, warning that nuclear war could follow "at any point" unless the exercises stop.
   "We repeatedly warned South Korea to stop its dangerous war games. If the South continues its dangerous behaviour, Seoul will be the next target. It will be a sea of fire. Nuclear war could start at any point," said Kim Myong-chol, executive director of the Centre for Korean-American Peace. He said it was fair to describe him as speaking on behalf of the North's government.

Related reports:

☞ North Korea fires on South Korea – live coverage (Guardian)

☞ 2 Koreas exchange fire across border (yNet/Reuters)

☞ North Korean shells aim to shock (Asia Times)

☞ N. Korea threatens additional attacks (Yonhap)

☞ S. Korea may strike N. Korea's missile base (K. Herald)  

* Yeonpyeong-do(island), the location of the...