UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was deeply concerned by rising tensions on Korean Peninsula after the two sides traded artillery fire on Thursday afternoon, said a spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

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, said Eri Kaneko, associate spokesperson for the UN chief.

"He also calls the parties to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions and to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," she said.

An Myong Hun, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Mission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), will address the press at the UN headquarters Friday afternoon on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

According to media reports, DPRK 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.

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