South Korean priests criticize North Korean shelling
By Catholic News Service![Smoke rises from South Korean Yeonpyeong Island after being hit by dozens of artillery shells fired by North Korea Nov. 23, in this picture taken by a South Korean tourist. South Korea says two marines have been killed and 16 others injured in the bombardment of the South Korean island near the countries' disputed western sea border. (CNS photo/Yonhap, Reuters) korea](/images/stories/international/international10/korea.jpg)
"The relationship between the North and the South worsened under the current South Korean government," Fr. John Kim Yong-hwan, chancellor of Incheon, which covers Yeonpyeong Island, told the Asian church news agency UCA News. "The South Korean government should introduce dialogue and embrace the North."
On Nov. 23, North Korea fired several hundred artillery shells at the South Korean island in the Yellow Sea. The attack killed two soldiers while injuring 13 soldiers and three civilians, said the South Korean military.
The shells also set fire to about 70 houses and mountains in the island, local media reported. Meanwhile, South Korea returned fire, aiming at the North Korean coastal artillery base.
North Korea accused the South of firing first. South Korea was conducting military exercises in the area but said its shells were not directed at the North.
Kim expressed concern for the island's residents, including its more than 450 Catholics.
Fr. Baptist John Kim Hun-il, executive secretary of the Subcommittee for Aid to North Korea under the Korean bishops' committee for reconciliation, said North Korea should stop the attack.
"Aiming at civilians and civil houses is inhumane, and it can cause further tragedy in the Korean Peninsula," he said, urging South Korea to stop the return fire and, through dialogue, persuade the North not to provoke such attacks.
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