In the wake of North Korea firing artillery at the South across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), President Park Geun-hye has convened the National Security Council (NSC) and ordered her officials to decisively respond to North Korean provocations. 

Presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook told reporters that Park received an initial briefing of the North Korean artillery attack from the head of the top office's National Security Office. 

Following the initial report at 5 p.m. the president held the NSC meeting with the head of the National Security Office, the presidential chief of staff, defense, foreign and unification ministers, and the director of the National Intelligence Service. 

During the meeting, Park also called for airtight readiness to deal with the North while ordering her officials to ensure the safety of the citizens in the affected region near the DMZ.