South Korean forces fired warning shots after North Korean troops breached the heavily guarded military demarcation line close to the border on Tuesday, according to a report from the Yonhap news agency which cited information from the country’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“Dozens of North Korean troops invaded the Military Demarcation Line today… (and) retreated northwards after warning shots”, referring to the line of control between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war.
South Korea’s military reported that a group of 20 to 30 North Korean soldiers temporarily crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) that divides the two countries while conducting construction work on the northern side of the border.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:30am and marks the second time this month that North Korean soldiers have breached the land border. South Korean soldiers responded by broadcasting warnings and firing warning shots, prompting the North Korean soldiers to retreat. Following the incident, the South’s military did not observe any further suspicious activities.
This incident follows a similar incident that occurred on June 11, when South Korean soldiers fired warning shots to deter another group of North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the MDL. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Tuesday’s incident took place in a different area along the central frontline region. The South’s military believes that the North Korean soldiers did not intentionally intrude across the border, and the North did not return fire.
In recent weeks, the South’s military has observed an increase in North Korean construction activity along the frontline border areas. These activities include the installation of suspected anti-tank barriers, road reinforcement, and the planting of land mines.
The recent border intrusions have taken place amidst rising tensions between the two war-divided nations. In a display of Cold War-style psychological warfare, both sides have made it clear that they are no longer adhering to the landmark military agreement signed in 2018, which aimed to reduce tensions between the two countries.
“Dozens of North Korean troops invaded the Military Demarcation Line today… (and) retreated northwards after warning shots”, referring to the line of control between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war.
South Korea’s military reported that a group of 20 to 30 North Korean soldiers temporarily crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) that divides the two countries while conducting construction work on the northern side of the border.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:30am and marks the second time this month that North Korean soldiers have breached the land border. South Korean soldiers responded by broadcasting warnings and firing warning shots, prompting the North Korean soldiers to retreat. Following the incident, the South’s military did not observe any further suspicious activities.
This incident follows a similar incident that occurred on June 11, when South Korean soldiers fired warning shots to deter another group of North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the MDL. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Tuesday’s incident took place in a different area along the central frontline region. The South’s military believes that the North Korean soldiers did not intentionally intrude across the border, and the North did not return fire.
In recent weeks, the South’s military has observed an increase in North Korean construction activity along the frontline border areas. These activities include the installation of suspected anti-tank barriers, road reinforcement, and the planting of land mines.
The recent border intrusions have taken place amidst rising tensions between the two war-divided nations. In a display of Cold War-style psychological warfare, both sides have made it clear that they are no longer adhering to the landmark military agreement signed in 2018, which aimed to reduce tensions between the two countries.