N. Korea had `several times` more casualties than S. Korea: source+

BEIJING, Dec. 4 Kyodo -
The number of North Korean victims in the artillery exchange between the two
Koreas in late November was ''several times'' more than in those of South
Korea, a source familiar with China-North Korea relations said Saturday,
quoting a North Korean government official.
The source said the unidentified official did not mention specific figures. He
did not say whether the North Koreans he said were killed and injured were all
soldiers or included civilians.
It was the first time that a North Korean official has referred to North Korean
deaths and injuries during South Korea's shelling of the North on Nov. 23 near
their contested western sea border.
North Korea's attack on a South Korean island that day killed four South
Koreans and caused extensive damage.
On Thursday, South Korea's National Intelligence Service submitted satellite
photos to parliament, showing the shells from the South fell inside the North's
artillery bases on the coastline.
The service said it was analyzing the level of casualties and damages on the
North Korean side.
==Kyodo