Moscow calls on two Koreas to exercise restraint.

23/11 Tass 180

MOSCOW, November 23 (Itar-Tass) - Moscow says the use of force on the
Korean peninsula is inadmissible and calls on two Koreas to exercise
restraint, a top official from the Russian Foreign Ministry said on
Tuesday commenting on an exchange of artillery fire between North Korea
and South Korea near the west sea border.
"We believe the use of force is an unacceptable path. Any disputes in
relations between the North and the South must be settled politically and
diplomatically," the source stressed. He also emphasized that Moscow urges
the sides "to demonstrate restraint and peace".
The diplomatic source said the sides in the conflict, as well as other
participants involved in the process of negotiations on the Korean problem
"must take resolute measures to defuse tension and normalize the situation
in that region".
"It is important now to normalize the situation," he added.
North Korea on Tuesday fired dozens of rounds of artillery towards
South Korean waters and the island of Yeonpyeong in the Yellow Sea. South
Korea returned fire, firing about 80 rounds of artillery towards North
Korea, Colonel Lee Bung-woo, spokesman for the South Korean Joint Chiefs
of Staff, said.
At least 14 people in the Republic of Korea were wounded, including
four marines. One of them has died. Sources from the mayor's office of the
Port of Inchon said four civilians had been wounded, woodland and several
houses were on fire, and electricity supply to the island had been cut.
The South Korean military is on its highest peacetime alert, Lee Bung-woo
stressed.
South Korea has sent combat aircraft, including jet fighters, to the
area. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak held an emergency session with
power wielding ministries, and ordered officials to make sure that the
firing would not escalate.
-0-zhe/ast