INCHEON, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean island hit last week by a North Korean artillery attack was designated Monday as a "control zone," in which the military can effectively ban the entrance of civilians and order their departure when necessary, local officials said.

Ongjin County, which governs the Yellow Sea border island of Yeonpyeong, said it has approved a military request to declare the island a control zone under the United Defense Act, aimed at effectively defending the nation through unified command in times of a security crisis.