United Nations, Dhu Al-Hijjah 18, 1431, Nov 24, 2010, SPA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday condemned North Korea's shelling of a South Korean island that resulted in the deaths of two marines. South Korean troops were holding military exercises on the island of Yeonpyeong, about two miles south from the armistice line dividing the two Koreas, when the North fired off hundreds of artillery rounds that also left more than a dozen troops injured. "The secretary-general is deeply concerned by the escalation of tension on the Korean peninsula caused by today's artillery attack by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the Yeongpyeong Island," Ban's office said in a statement. "The secretary-general condemns the attack and calls for immediate restraint," the statement added. Ban said "any differences should be resolved by peaceful means and dialogue." The statement also said that the U.N. chief had "conveyed his utmost concern to the President of the Security Council." --SPA 11:47 LOCAL TIME 08:47 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/838961