Washington, Nov 11 (DPA) The US urged North Korea Tuesday to avoid taking any steps that could escalate tensions following the gunfight that broke out between North and South Korean naval vessels.
“I would say to the North Koreans that we hope that there will be no further actions in the Yellow Sea that could be seen as an escalation,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

The skirmish took place days before President Barack Obama begins a four-nation trip to Asia, including a final stop in Seoul to discuss efforts to resume the nuclear negotiations with Pyongyang.

Both sides blamed each other for the confrontation that left both ships damaged but resulted in no reported casualties.