(AP) -- The White House is strongly condemning North Korea's artillery attack against the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong.
In a statement released before dawn today, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs calls on North Korea to "halt its belligerent action."
He says the United States is "firmly committed" to South Korea's defense, and to the "maintenance of regional peace and stability."
The White House spokesman says the U.S. is in "close and continuing contact" with the South Korean government.
North Korea fired barrages of artillery onto the South Korean island near their disputed western border Tuesday, setting buildings ablaze and killing at least one marine. South Korea fired back and scrambled fighter jets.
South Korean officials say a warning from the North Koreans to halt nearby military drills had been refused and artillery fired away from the disputed border as part of the exercise.
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