A tense calm on the Korean peninsula

An eyewitness told Seoul's YTN TV station that some 60 to 70 houses were ablaze on the Yeonpyeong island in the Yellow Sea after the attack. The island, which is off the countries' west coast, is populated by some 1,200 people.
The world community has condemned the attack. South Korea has threatened a harsh response in the event of more aggression from the North.
North Korea claims its forces were responding to an attack by the South, which was holding military drills in the area.