The United States has expressed concerns over North Korea’s firing of artillery into the Yellow Sea from coastal artillery batteries.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters that such an act is not a helpful sign by North Korea and is exactly the kind of behavior that the U.S. would like to see the North avoid.

Crowley said that the U.S. will continue to work effectively and closely with South Korea and other countries in the region and that there will be no reward for North Korea for these provocations.

Crowley said the U.S. will continue to work to fully implement Resolution 1874 and will seek additional ways to put pressure on the North Korean government to change its course.

The North’s artillery barrage followed the conclusion of South Korea’s massive five-day naval exercise in the Yellow Sea. The exercise was held in response to the sinking of South Korea's “Cheonan” patrol boat.