Last weekend, North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the inter-Korean border, prompting South Korea to fire warning shots in the Korean Demilitarized Area. Col. Lee Sungjun, spokesperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and South Korea’s Yonhap agency, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.
The North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line in the DMZ before retreating northwards after warning shots were fired and broadcasts were issued by the South Korean military.
The North Korean Embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
The DMZ, established in 1953 as part of the Korean War armistice, has a buffer zone of 2.5 miles on each side. While the DMZ itself is not militarized, the surrounding area is heavily fortified.
Tensions between North and South Korea have escalated in recent weeks, with incidents such as North Korea‘s attempt to launch a spy satellite and sending balloons filled with garbage over the border.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, warned of “new counteractions” if South Korea does not stop psychological warfare, including its propaganda broadcasts. South Korea, in response, has resumed its loudspeaker campaigns at the border.
The U.S. State Department is closely monitoring the situation and urging North Korea to reduce tensions and avoid actions that could escalate conflict. The department also advocates for the free flow of information into and out of North Korea.
In response to property damage caused by North Korea’s balloon campaign, South Korea plans to offer compensation, while discussions with North Korean defector groups are ongoing to address propaganda leaflets.
Yonhap reported that the South Korean government remains unable to intervene in the defector groups’ activities, but the involvement of outside parties suggests a bid to ease tensions.
Updated 6/11/24 4:00 a.m. This article provides breaking news as of Eastern Time.