It′s been five years... but even today， signs of the attack are difficult to miss
among the cottages and alleyways of Yeonpyeong－do island′s port.
Even five years later， residents of the South Korean island remember the trauma of
November 23， 2010... like it was yesterday. But， these islanders remained defiant － they
never let fear overcome. Bombardment of Yeonpyeong － five years on
our Connie Kim traveled by land AND by sea... she reports from Yeonpyeong－do， South
Korea. Some 110 kilometers east of the capital Seoul
is Yeonpyeong－do island. And less than four kilometers away from the
island is North Korea. The only thing that separates the island from
the North is an invisible maritime border known as the Northern Limit Line.
The island， which sits within close firing range， has been under constant potential
threat from North Korea. On November 23rd， 2010 that concern became
a devastating reality. Out of the clear blue sky， North Korean
artillery fire pounded Yeonpyeong－do island.
″This cement wall was attacked during North Korea′s artillery shelling. As you can see
there is a huge hole inside， and you can see just how devastating it was during the
attacks.″ North Korea fired around 170 shells and rockets
at the island， hitting 54 buildings including houses.
This whole area was engulfed in flames. There was a loud boom then black smoke filled
this alley. We were over there when we heard the explosion.
This alley suffered the worst damage five years ago.
Looking at the houses here now， which have since been reconstructed or transformed，
it′s hard to imagine they were once swallowed by flames， roofs blown off， and windows
shattered.
″When I think of the day when North Korea fired artillery shells I can′t bear it.
Everything was on fire. I ran to the evacuation shelter and fled with my grandchildren to
Incheon the next day.″ A total of 32 new buildings and houses have
been newly built with the government pouring in seven million U.S. dollars.
But whenever residents here make Gimchi， they can′t help but think of the day North
Korea fired artillery shells on South Korean soil.
″I will never forget what happened. Not until the two Koreas become reunified or give
some kind of sign that North Korea will never attack the South again.″
″This is one of the seven newly built evacuation bunkers after North Korea′s artillery attacks.
It′s a constant reminder that residents here are living with threat coming from North
Korea.″ These bunkers replace 19 outdated evacuation
shelters. And not only do they provide refuge for residents， they have multiple uses，
also serving as libraries and community centers. After the North Korean shelling， the government
erected a monument on the island in remembrance of two soldiers who sacrificed their lives
during the attack. The island has also left some of the burnt
houses untouched to show visitors the tragic reality of what happened to South