South Korea fires warning shots after North’s DMZ incursion.
South Korea’s military conducted warning shots on Sunday as a group of North Korean troops briefly crossed the demilitarised zone between the two nations. As stated by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), a few northern soldiers entered the Military Demarcation Line within the DMZ at around 12:30 pm.
In response, South Korean troops broadcast warnings and fired shots into the air. Following this, the North Korean soldiers returned to the northern side of the border.
No unusual activity was observed after the incident, said JCS. The heavily guarded DMZ has seen rising tensions of late after Pyongyang sent garbage balloons across and Seoul resumed propaganda broadcasts.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, had warned Seoul against any moves that could escalate tensions. North Korea is wary such broadcasts may weaken morale and control at the frontline.
Notably, artillery exchanges occurred in 2015 when South Korea restarted transmissions after a lull, with no casualties reported then.
The development comes amid concerns over Pyongyang’s sensitivity to perceived challenges and recent provocations from both sides. Restraint is crucial to avoid any uncontrollable escalation along the tense border dividing the Korean peninsula.
