South and North Korea exchanged warning shots off the west coast on Monday, accusing each other of breaching their maritime borders.
周一,韩国和朝鲜先后在西海岸附近水域开火示警,指责对方侵犯了两国的海上边界。
The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it fired warning shots to see off a North Korean merchant vessel that crossed the Northern Limit Line, the de facto sea boundary.
韩国联合参谋本部称,韩方鸣枪示警是为了赶走一艘越过实际海上边界“北方分界线”的朝鲜商船。
In a statement released on state media, the North's military said had fired 10 rocket artillery rounds in response to a South Korean navy ship violating the line.
而在朝鲜官方媒体发布的一份声明中,朝鲜军方称,他们发射了10枚火箭炮,以回应一艘侵犯该分界线的韩国海军舰艇。
The latest exchange of fire comes amid simmering tensions on the Korean peninsular with speculation rife that Pyongyang may be preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test.
最近的这次相互开火示警,正值朝鲜半岛紧张局势不断升温之际,外界普遍猜测平壤方面可能正在准备进行第七次核试验。
In recent weeks, North Korea has launched short-range ballistic missiles, and hundreds of artillery rounds off its east and west coasts.
最近几周,朝鲜在其东海岸和西海岸多次发射短程弹道导弹和数百枚炮弹。
Pyongyang claims that it is being provoked by South Korea's military activities with the U.S.
平壤方面声称,这是因为受到了韩美军事活动的挑衅。
Last week, South Korea's troops kicked off their annual Hoguk defense drills.
上周,韩国军方开展了一年一度的“国家保卫者”防御演习。
Seoul and Washington say their exercises are defensive and aimed at deterring the North.
首尔和华盛顿方面表示,他们的演习是防御性的,目的只是为了威慑朝鲜。