UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was deeply concerned by rising tensions on Korean Peninsula after the two sides traded artillery fire, an official said.
Ban has closely followed the reports of rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. He urged the parties to refrain from taking any further measures that might increase tensions, Xinhua cited Eri Kaneko, associate spokesperson for the UN chief as saying on Friday.
"He also calls the parties to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions and to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."
According to media reports, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered front-line military units to enter "a wartime state" after an exchange of fire with South Korea.
No casualties were reported from the exchange of fire.
