South Korea is in close consultations with its ally the United States and other partner countries in handling soaring tension on the Korean Peninsula following North Korea's artillery attack, a government official said Friday.
  

North Korea shelled a South Korean military unit Thursday in retaliation for anti-Pyongyang broadcasts along the heavily fortified border. South Korea fired back multiple rounds of artillery. No casualties have been reported.
  

"Our government has explained the details regarding North Korea's shelling to the international community, including key nations and the United Nations, and we are discussing measures to work together to deter further provocations from the North," the official said on condition of anonymity.
  

"With the United States in particular, we are closely following the situation based on a solid joint defense posture and continue to work closely together to deter and respond to further provocations from the North."
  

Foreign Ministry officials said they have yet to decide whether to take the issue to the U.N. Security Council.
  

North Korea has denied responsibility for the attack and threatened military action against the South if the broadcasts are not stopped within 48 hours, expiring at 5 p.m. Saturday.(Yonhap)