The South Korean military on Sunday announced that its naval forces fired warning shots at a North Korean vessel on Saturday after the latter encroached into its territory.

At least five shots were fired at the vessel, which crossed the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL) by about 700 meters. The North Korean boat is believed to have been attempting to clear off Chinese fishing vessels near Yeonpyeongdo.

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While the North Korean patrol boat retreated without firing back, on Sunday a Pyongyang official described the incident as a "serious provocation." In a statement carried by state news agency KCNA, the official warned "the South Korean military warmongers" that the relationship between both countries would go sour if such actions persist.

North and South Korea have clashed repeatedly through the years over the NLL maritime border, which Pyongyang refuses to accept. Experts have warned that the latest dispute between both nations could jeopardize the attempts to heal their strained ties.

In August, both countries agreed to scale down military conflict after several years of heightened tension. The two nations also agreed to arrange a reunion for families separated by the Korean War. The reunion, which commenced on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Mount Kumgang Resort in Kangwon, North Korea, is due to end on Monday, Oct. 26.

This is the first family reunion for Korean relatives since both countries got embroiled in a bitter dispute in 2010 after a North Korean submarine allegedly sank a South Korean navy ship. Pyongyang has denied involvement in the incident, but officials in Seoul insists otherwise.

Last week, South Korean presidential security adviser told the media that the government is planning to press Pyongyang to stage regular family reunions.

But, after the recent showdown at sea, that state of the relationship between the Korean neighbors is unclear. While some experts say the encounter would not attract any serious diplomatic actions, others think Pyongyang could attempt to assert itself by taking the matter seriously.

TagsNorth Korea-South Korea Conflict, Yellow River Border Dispute, North Korea-South Korea Family Reunion, South Korean Navy Shoots at North Korea Boat