No serious damage reported as 2 earthquakes hit South Korea

PanARMENIAN.Net - Officials say two earthquakes measuring magnitude 5.1 and 5.8 have jolted a historic city in southeastern South Korea, but there are no reports of serious injuries or damage, the Associated Press reports.

The country's weather agency said the quakes occurred Monday, September 12 evening near Gyeongju city. It said the magnitude-5.8 quake was the largest ever recorded in South Korea.

Local television showed children hiding under tables and goods falling off the shelves at a supermarket.

Officials said two people received minor injuries, but gave no further details. No major damage was reported.

South Korea has relatively little seismic activity, unlike neighboring Japan, which has frequent major quakes, AP says.

Gyeongju was the capital of one of the Korean Peninsula's ancient kingdoms and is now a popular tourist destination.