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South Korean forces fired warning shots at North Korean troops who crossed the heavily guarded border zone separating the two countries on Tuesday, the second such crossing in less than two weeks amid rising tensions between the two countries.
FILE PHOTO: This is the second border violation by North Korean forces in less than two weeks.
Basic information
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said about 20 to 30 North Korean soldiers “carrying work equipment” crossed the military demarcation line that runs within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which separates the two countries, Yonhap news agency reported. Report.
The incursion took place in the central part of the border around 8:30 am local time.
The South Korean military responded to the intrusion by broadcasting warnings and firing warning shots at the North Koreans, who then retreated to their border.
There were no further clashes between the two sides, and South Korean military officials believe the incursion was likely accidental.
The joint chiefs said they suspected the border construction was being done to make it harder for potential defectors to leave the country.
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Original background
A similar incident occurred last Sunday when 20 North Korean soldiers breached the border while working at the DMZ. It is not clear if the previous breach took place at the same location, but it was also described as taking place in the central part of the border. An earlier incident was also resolved after South Korean soldiers fired warning shots.
news peg
The border breach comes at a time of heightened tensions between North and South Korea. North Korea late last month has flown Hundreds of balloons are carrying dirt and feces across the border to the south. Pyongyang said the trash balloons were in response to long-running efforts by South Korean activists and North Korean defectors to deliver propaganda materials to their country using balloons. The materials in question included leaflets critical of Kim Jong-un's regime and USB thumb drives with South Korean media such as K-pop songs and K-dramas. North Korea continued to fly hundreds more trash balloons across the border this month – angering South Korean officials. In response, Seoul adjourned A 2018 agreement between the two countries to reduce border tensions.
watch for what
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin will make his first visit to North Korea in 24 years to attend a summit with the country's leader, Kim Jong-un. Before his arrival, Putin thank you North Korea and Kim have pledged to work with Pyongyang to support its invasion of Ukraine and to overcome international sanctions. Putin's visit will heighten concerns in Washington and Seoul about growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
Read more
South Korea says it fired warning shots after North Korean troops briefly crossed the border (Forbes)
North Korean troops crossed the border for the 2nd time in less than 2 weeks (Yonhap News Agency)
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