North Korea bombs South Korean island

The World

Both countries claim that the other started it; but the lengthy exchange of artillery fire between the two countries has left two South Korean soldiers dead, 15 wounded. South Korea says the trouble started when the North fired shells at a small fishing island in the Yellow Sea. Some 1600 residents of the island ? reportedly mostly fishermen ? are fleeing or entering bomb shelters. South Korea has declared a state of emergency and the U.S. has declared its support. What really started the fight?

We’re joined by Mark McDonald, South Korea correspondent for our partner The New York Times, for more on the story. We’re also joined by David E. Sanger, chief Washington correspondent for the New York Times and author of “The Inheritance: The World Obama Confronts and the Challenges to American Power.”

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!